Voddlem Bhat Paddy Field Land Filling Sparks Local Outrage in Benaulim

A fresh con troversy has emerged in Voddlem Bhat, Benaulim, where land filling activi ties in a paddy field have prompted residents and activists to question the government’s handling of village-level development issues. Leading the charge, lo cal activist Santan Perei ra visited the site on Wednesday and expressed deep concern over what he termed as yet anoth er instance of unchecked destruction of agricultur al land. He criticised the authorities for conducting a site inspection in his ab sence, despite his role as the original complainant. “It is disappointing that I, the complainant, was kept in the dark during the inspection. This kind of approach undermines public trust in enforce ment agencies,” Pereira told the press. He further demanded transparency in the mat ter, insisting that if the landowner possesses any legal permissions for the land filling, they should be clearly displayed at the site. This, he said, would help address public suspi cion and ensure accounta bility. Pereira used the inci dent to highlight a broad er concern — the failure of the state government to devolve the 29 governance subjects to panchayats, as envisioned under the 73rd Constitutional Amend ment. According to him, empowering local bodies would allow quicker and more effective action on such land-related viola tions. “Had the panchayat been given its rightful authority, we wouldn’t be running in circles trying to stop illegal land con version. Local governance has been reduced to a for mality,” he said. The activist also alleged that the land being filled includes part of a storm water nullah, which could disrupt natural drainage and cause long-term prob lems for the village eco system. He urged the Comuni dade of Benaulim to step in and prevent further en croachment on communi ty resources. Residents in the area have expressed similar frustrations, warning that land filling in agricultur al zones is increasingly threatening the village’s identity and environment. Many fear that with lit tle enforcement, the area could soon lose its re maining farmland to ur banisation and unauthor ised development.