marathon Benaulim gramsabha

Benaulim vigilant over mega projects
2 Jun 2008, 0420 hrs IST,Govind Kamat Maad,TNN

In what could perhaps be the longest gram sabha held in recent times, the gram sabha of the Benaulim village panchayat concluded on Sunday after being adjourned on two occasions. The gram sabha was held over three marathon sessions with each session lasting for nearly four hours.
The concluding session of the Benaulim gram sabha on Sunday, that started off on a stormy note, however, concluded on a harmonious tone with villagers resolving to stay vigilant and thwart any moves that could prove to be disastrous for the village.
Earlier, the villagers demanded that the sarpanch place before the gram sabha the report of the inspection conducted by the panchayat of the various mega projects and big buildings coming up in the village.
The inspection report revealed that projects under the scanner of the villagers had failed to comply with the regulations and the building byelaws in force, much to the ire of the villagers. The panchayat secretary informed the villagers that stop work orders and show cause notices have already been issued to the builders of the projects – Ramcon Realtors, Grace Constructions, L & L Builders and Commonwealth Developers – based on inspection reports and that similar action would be taken against other erring builders soon. "Based on the reply given by the builders to the show cause notices, appropriate decision would be taken at the panchayat meeting," panchayat secretary Prabodh Prabhu informed the gram sabha.
Still apprehensive over the sarpanch's assurance, the gram sabha demanded that the replies be scrutinized by a committee formed of villagers and legal experts so as to ensure that villagers are not denied justice in their battle against mega projects. Annoyed over innumerable construction licenses issued to projects by overlooking thegross violations committed by the builders, the gram sabha adopted a resolution demanding an inquiry by the Vigilance Commission into all the construction licenses issued by the panchayat for the last two terms (ten years).
The villagers were in for a further rude shock when it was revealed by the Benaulim Villagers Action Committee (BVAC) that the panchayat was already in receipt of two more proposals for big projects in the village and that those were already submitted to the Town and Country Planning Department for clearance.
"While the whole village is in the midst of a turmoil over mega projects, this panchayat body has the audacity to forward proposals for two more such projects to the Town and Country Planning," Geraldine Fernandes of the BVAC said.
Sarpanch Maria Fernandes, whose resignation was sought by agitated villagers over the issue, assured that the panchayat would reject any applications for construction licenses for those projects. With a view to maintain a vigil over any discreet dealings , the gram sabha further decided to form a scrutinizing committee consisting of gram sabha members.