Camurlim in uproar over hill-cutting, mega housing, illegal conversions

| APRIL 23, 2018, 04:16 AM IST

MARGAO: The Camurlim gram sabha witnessed an uproar over hill cutting, mega housing projects and conversion of low-lying agricultural fields on Sunday. 
At a meeting chaired by Sarpanch Basil Fernandes, a gram sabha member Romano Jesus even claimed that a member even abused him at the meeting, but lamented that no action was taken against the erring member. 
Gram sabha members demanded that the panchayat should not permit multi-dwelling units in the village, especially on hill slopes, agricultural fields and low lying areas.
They demanded the  panchayat be proactive by taking up instances of hill cutting and illegal conversion of land with the concerned authorities.
At this point, the meeting witnessed an uproar after a member made a derogatory remark against other members. Romano later told the media that he would lodge a complaint with the Salcete BDO concerning Sunday’s incident. Sarpanch Basil Fernandes explained that the panchayat approves construction plans only after technical clearance by the TCP.  Hill cutting and illegal conversion, the sarpanch pointed out, fall within the domain of TCP and district Collector. 
 Romano, however, said the panchayat, a local grass-root body, cannot abdicate its responsibility to the illegalities taking shape in the village. 
 The sarpanch also placed before the gram sabha the annual plan containing a host of proposal which are proposed to be implemented by the panchayat in the current financial year. 

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