CALANGUTE: The Parra gram sabha has demanded the revocation of a construction licence issued to a hotel and spa at Carrasco Vaddo and scrapping of the Regional Plan 2021 (RP21) for the village.
Discussing the construction licence issued, the gram sabha questioned the panchayat’s decision to issue the licence despite a temple existing in the vicinity. The members also questioned why the locals were kept in the dark over the issue and demanded revocation of the licence on various grounds, including garbage, sewage, and parking.
Chairperson Delilah Lobo said that the licence has been granted based on a revised plan submitted by the builders; the builders had already been issued a construction licence for bungalows, which they have changed to hotel projects. She also sought to know from the members whether their views were considered by the previous panchayat bodies before issuing construction licences.
Former Parra Sarpanch Benedict D’Souza stated that the body headed by him had granted permission for bungalows and not hotel projects, and the locals had been taken into confidence over the decision.
Claude Alvares then questioned the panchayat’s decision to give permission to the 30-room hotel project and also why huge buildings or hotels were needed in Parra. He claimed that thereafter, there would be a demand for wider roads, leading to the destruction of the village. He urged the gram sabha to adopt a resolution against hotel projects in Parra.
Chairperson Lobo assured to sort out the issue with the builder as demanded by the gram sabha and also urged the villagers not to sell their land to builders or out rent their premises to foreigners to save their village from destruction.
Regarding the RP21 for Parra, the gram sabha demanded that the government scrap the plan and finalise a plan prepared by the villagers. Alvares assured to help the panchayat in the RP matter.
