Xeldem locals petition PM with objection to VP’s plans to construct Panchayat Ghar

QUEPEM: Xeldem panchayat’s lofty plans to construct a new Panchayat Ghar despite having one that meets its present requirements has met stiff opposition from people residing near the proposed new site who have even petitioned the Prime Minister Narendra Modi with their objection.

The panchayat proposes to construct a new Panchayat Ghar on a plot of land admeasuring around 1,600 sq mts of land at Sonfator where Goa Housing Board has developed a housing colony and plot was reserved to construct a community hall and educational institute for their benefit.

A memorandum signed by over 50 people objecting to constructing a panchayat ghar has already been sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with copies marked to Goa Chief Minister, Housing Minister, Goa Housing Board Chairman and Town and Country Planning Department (TCP) and Directorate of Panchayat officials. Anil Desai strongly asserted that the panchayat cannot usurp the land kept for constructing a community hall and educational institution for those living in the area.

Avish Desai pointed out that the Housing Board in 2014 had developed a housing colony at Sonfator and had reserved 9,000 sq mts of land to construct an educational institute and a community hall for which 1,630 sq mts was specifically set aside for a community hall.

However, in 2021 following a representation from Xeldem panchayat, the Goa Housing Board agreed to allot them this reserved land to construct a panchayat ghar. Anil Desai termed the Housing Board decision illegal as it was taken without consulting the people who have constructed their houses in the area developed by it.

“This decision is taken unilaterally without consulting us and the land that was reserved for constructing a community hall and educational institute cannot be used for some other purpose,” he said.

Avish Desai recalled that the panchayat had earlier also tried to usurp land in the same colony by setting up a volleyball court there. “The locals had to ultimately go to the court to thwart the panchayat’s sinister plans,” he said.

Xeldem Deputy Sarpanch and former Sarpanch Pramod Dessai justified the panchayat decision on grounds that it was taken considering the future needs of the village. “As the population grows, a larger community hall will be required and as we had the backing of our MLA Nilesh Cabral, we planned to use the land available for public purpose at Sonfator,” he said.

He also disclosed that the Housing Board was giving the land to the panchayat with a 25 per cent discount which was working at a rate of Rs 4,500 per square metres.