Team Herald
MAPUSA: Minister for Ports Michael Lobo has defended the notification of 56 villages in nine taluks as urban areas, saying that it is done for the benefit of the villages.
The minister also said that the notified villages would become urban areas only if the local MLA consents and the panchayat concerned passes resolution in gram sabha accepting the urban status.
“Villages which were declared as urban as per 2011 census are now notified. However, it won’t be implemented. These areas will get benefit of urban status from State and Center,” the minister said.
“Urban status will help the panchayats that presently do not have funding capacity for infrastructure. Under this, they can avail funds from State and Central governments for required infrastructure,” Lobo informed.
“Sewerage connectivity in Calangute and Baga is funded by Central government. Similarly, looking at the growth in Anjuna, Vagator, Armabol and Mandrem, it is need of the hour to have sewerage network in these areas. If they do not do it, then, the situation in these areas will become like Calangute and Baga where the ground water is contaminated and not drinkable,” the minister explained.
Stating that the Central government can fund power project for Bardez, if the villages are declared as urban, Lobo said, “This project cost is Rs 200 crore and can come up if it is funded by the Center. This fund can be repaid by generating funds. And funds can be generated only if the villages are urbanised. There are apprehensions in the mind of the people, but this is for their own benefit.”
