Team Herald
MARGAO: The locals of Navelim village have raised concerns about land rights and community development in light of the recently enacted Goa Escheats, Forfeiture and Bona Vacantia Bill, 2024.
In a strongly-worded unanimous resolution that was passed at its recent gram sabha meeting, the villagers demanded that any unclaimed land acquired under this new legislation must be transferred back to their local panchayat, rather than remaining under State control. This transfer, they emphasised, would be crucial for meeting the specific developmental needs of their village in view of the fact that most village panchayats face severe land shortages and that complex land acquisition procedures have often stalled development in the past.
Incidentally, this demand comes at a time when the State government has already identified 60 such properties across Goa that could potentially be affected by the new law.
On a different note, the local villagers also highlighted pressing concerns about children's safety and public health. Parents and educators are particularly worried about the accessibility of tobacco products near educational institutions, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of the 100-metre sales ban around schools. To address this, there are plans to mobilise educational institution committees and nodal officers to strengthen monitoring and enforcement measures.
On related note, traffic safety has emerged as another critical issue, with residents expressing deep concern about the heavy vehicle movement during school hours. The locals are seeking a collaborative approach to address this challenge, pushing for discussions with district administration officials, traffic police, and school representatives to develop comprehensive safety measures.
Public transportation infrastructure has also come under scrutiny, with debates centering around a denotified bus stop on the Chinchinim route. While some residents oppose a new bus stop, others had emphasised upon the urgent need for proper shelter for commuters who currently brave adverse weather conditions while waiting for buses. However, in light of there not being consensus on the issue, it was decided that the Navelim panchayat would write to the South Goa Collector about the bus stop, to find a solution to this matter.