MARGAO: The Nuvem gram sabha has unanimously passed a resolution to request the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) not to approve projects in the village without the approval of the gram sabha. It has also passed a resolution to demand the reclassification of the coconut tree as ‘tree’.
On the IPB issue, members proposed that the IPB should not approve projects in Nuvem without the gram sabha’s approval. It was also proposed that the promoter should first make a presentation to the gram sabha and get its approval before submitting the project file to the IPB or other authority to avoid protests or objections from the public.
A resolution to this effect was unanimously passed by the gram sabha, while the sarpanch agreed to send the same to the authorities.
On the coconut tree issue, the gram sabha, without any discussions, passed a resolution to demand restoration of the coconut tree’s earlier status. The panchayat was also asked to send a copy of the resolution to the government.
The gram sabha also informed that most coconut trees were being destroyed by worms. It was pointed out that if steps are not taken immediately to control this pest, they may lose all the trees as well as the beauty of their village, and the environment would be affected.
The gram sabha then passed a resolution for the panchayat to write to the authorities, such as the Agriculture Department and Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), and follow up the matter with them to stop the coconut trees from being destroyed. Jose Roque Andrade asked a question about a previous gram sabha resolution to establish a library, but did not get a proper answer. Regarding another earlier resolution to get a four-lane road plan for public reference, the panchayat secretary said that the PWD had not provided the plan to the panchayat.
The gram sabha also requested a copy of the budget for the financial year 2016-2017, and suggested that they could give suggestions within 10 days. The panchayat agreed to the request.
