photo: GGRM press conference on 23 May 2008
Anti-realty drive set to move north (Times of India)
After connecting with the people in the coastal belt of south Goa, the Ganv Ghor Rakhonn Manch (GGRM) has decided to move north. The GGRM plans to bring uprisings taking place in several villages under one banner, inorder to 'drive the forces out that are bent on destroying Goa'. Besides, they are also working towards helping create the village development plans with guidance from the Chandor villagers and others. Their aim is now to support all issues concerning villages and villagers of Goa. "We have closely followed the statements made in favour of the builders lobby by those constituting the government and it is crystal clear that the statements questioning the authority and validity of the resolutions of the gram sabhas are not only unconstitutional but also malafide, as they are made only to threaten and confuse the masses," said GGRM convenor Geraldine Fernandes. Fernandes said that it is the panchayat's responsibility to fulfill the demands put up by the people in the gram sabhas. "There are lot of mega housing projects which are coming up in the state without valid documents and when we ask for these documents, which are being forged," said Fernandes. Alleging several irregularities and forgeries involved in seeking permissions for the mega projects, Fernandes said that the government has connived with the forces to give back door entry for all those who were curtailed by the scrapping of the Regional Plan 2011. "We will expose all these designs and those responsible at the appropriate fora. The struggle against the mega projects involves not only the bureaucrats bypassing all required formalities but also the local self governing bodies," added Fernandes. Another member Soter D'Souza said, "Nothing stops the gram sabha from passing a resolution, asking the panchayat to revoke the licence. The gram sabha is binding on the village panchayat and if the sarpanch doesn't act on the decision of the gram sabha, then he can also be removed." According to GGRM, there are about 11 mega housing projects coming up in Benaulim and about 30 in Colva. "So far when anyone raised their voice, they were threatened with dire consequences. But now if we don't wake up, we will lose our land," said Anthony D'Souza from Calangute. Calangute will have an awareness programme for the whole of north Goa on Sunday.
GGRM demands demolition of illegal projects (Navhind Times )
" The Ganv Ghor Rakhaonn Manch (GGRM) on Friday demanded thatall mega projects in Benaulim should be demolished and the area brought back to its original state if they were found to havecommitted in any irregularities. Sources also say that work has been halted in most projects under the scanner. At a press conference held at Panaji the GGRM has criticised the Panchayat Minister, Mr Manohar Azgaokar, saying that he should notmake such irresponsible statements when he has failed in his duty to implement the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments. They also said that the panchayat is duty bound to go by the directions issued by the gram sabhas and if they (the panchayats did not feel like doing so they had to challenge it before the directorateof panchayats. Two among the 11 projects in question have been inspected and showcause notices have also been issued to them. The convenor of the GGRM, Ms Geraldine Fernandes said that they havedemanded that balance from among the 11 projects be inspected as soonas possible.The manch has also demanded that no projects should be cleared without the clearance of the gram sabhas as ultimately the people have to suffer as scarce resources have to be shared by so many others andwanted to know why the villagers have to go without water and children suffer without electricity for someone else's profits. Replying to a question, the manch also said that they felt that someof the projects were from the RP2011 era and had to be automatically cancelled and said that they would give details about these later. It may be recalled that the Benaulim gram sabha, where over 600 peoplehad gathered, had recently passed a resolution seeking revocation oflicences to all the mega housing projects in Benaulim village with retrospective effect from January 26, 2007. Due to public pressure all the panchas, including the sarpanch, Ms Maria Fernandes, assured the villagers that they would not allow anymega housing projects in their respective wards and the village at large.
Mega projects under GGRM’s magnet (Herald)
Projects coming up in the Goan countryside have come under the scanner of newly formed Ganv Ghor Rakhonn Manch, which is in the process of getting information on each and every one of them to check for their legality. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Goa Bachao Abhiyan’s Pravin Sabnis in the presence of GGRM Convenor Geraldine Fernandes said during an inspection in Benaulim a builder had himself confessed to violations. The Government’s statement challenging the powers of gram sabhas to seek revocation of construction licenses has not gone well with activists and at today’s press briefing this issue was highlighted. Director Institute of Panchayati Raj (Peaceful Society) Soter D’Souza maintained, “There’s a misinformation campaign being spread by builders and politicians on the powers of the gram sabhas. Gram sabha decisions or resolutions are binding on the panchayats, but they can be appealed before the director of panchayat.”“Development impacts the people and as such the panchayat has to make village plans, but there’s gross negligence by the Government in this area. People’s livelihood is threatened by mega housing projects,” Soter asserted. Geraldine said statements questioning the authority and validity of resolutions of gram sabhas are not only unconstitutional, but also malafide as they made to threaten the masses. She maintained that a project coming up on an area more than 800 sq metre of land should be considered as mega. She informed that in Benaulim, the place where she hails from, 11 mega housing projects are coming. At most of the sites there are no proper boards giving information on the works, she held. Two of the representatives from Colva, Alvito Fernandes and Jimmy Gracias, produced before media persons two CRZ clearances for a construction from the same authority. The clearances have the same reference number indicating hanky panky business. General Secretary Council for Social Justice and Peace Fr Maverick Fernandes was also present. GGRM has raised suspicion over many such illegalities by builders to get permissions for constructions. It has now decided to bring uprisings taking place in villages under one banner and have asked locals to check its blog http://www.ganv-ghor.blogspot.com/ to share their grievances. GGRM is working towards helping create village development plans with guidance from villagers of Chandor and others.
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