Taleigao people divided over huge projects

Taleigao people divided over huge projects
Preetu Nair | TNN

Taleigao: Even as the growing movement against mega and not-so mega construction projects in the state unites the villagers in the gram sabhas, in Taleigao village panchayat, the issue has actually divided the people.
At a gram sabha meeting on Sunday, the differences between the ordinary villagers and “elite” of Dona Paula became apparent, with a few “elite” members demanding that unwanted development and high-rise buildings should be banned in the village as it was proving to be an additional burden on the infrastructure. However, the villagers, along with their local MLA Atanasio Monserrate and his supporters blamed the “elite” members of the society for being quiet when adversity strikes and complaining later.
“Don’t take your own decisions and pass it on as the decision of the people of Taleigao. This is the decision of a class (people of Dona Paula, who comprised nearly 30% population in the gram sabha) and not the masses. You were silent when the ODP was prepared. You were hardly there when we opposed the IT park and now you have got together to criticize every construction, many of which are legal,” said Monserrate.
Finally, as people were divided, no resolution could be passed on the issue. The trouble started when Shanti Almeida, a resident of Dona Paula, said that no permission should be given to highrise buildings in Taleigao without consulting the gram sabha. “The final decision has to be with the gram sabha and the panchayat is bound by the resolution of the gram sabha,” she added.
Few of them complained that due to unplanned development, which is being supported by the panchayat, problems of garbage, parking, water and sewage have increased. “The panchayat should put a stop to all illegal constructions in the area,” said Bernardo D’Souza from La Citadel colony, Dona Paula.
However, sarpanch Janu Rosario refused to entertain the proposal stating that the panchayat is only the license issuing authority and the development is happening as per the ODP.
“No gram sabha can stop any legal construction. If you want to put a stop to any legal construction, then please do it on an individual basis, without putting the burden on the panchayat or people of Taleigao,” said Rosario.
Father Michael from Don Bosco, Odxel complained that the Taleigao Outline Development Plan was passed without consulting the gram sabha. But Rosario produced the minutes of a meeting and said that suggestions were sent to the government on August 18, 2004. “We want Taleigao to develop and don’t want the panchayat to waste money on litigations against developers who are constructing legally. The gram sabha shouldn’t entertain those who talk about people’s rights and disappear when its time to fight,” said Taleigao resident Tony Baretto.
Maria Francisca, in her late 60’s, from Cardozwaddo, Taleigao, said that many of the elite members who talk in the gram sabha are never there when people come on the streets. “They only know to complain and demand,” she said. Even Genevieve D’- Souza from Dona Paula, who has been a part of various people’s movements in Taleigao, including the movement against IT park, admitted the problem. “Blame it on pure lethargy. Many from Dona Paula want others to do their job. They are never willing to fight for a cause, though they do talk at public meetings and gram sabhas.” However, Anand Madgavkar said that people on the plateau are not against projects but they want to ensure that there is proper infrastructure before new constructions come up.

2008 May 26 Times Of India Goa