The meeting also witnessed heated exchanges between panchayat members and gram sabha members led by social activist Andrew Rebello when members demanded to know the stand of the Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar.
While the BJP-aligned panchayat members took exception to the reference made to the MLA, the gram sabha members insisted it is their right to know the MLA’s stand on the burning issue.
Gram sabha members including farmers vehemently opposed to the move, saying the lake waters help them to irrigate their fields for vegetable cultivation. Farmers also pointed out that drinking water wells in the vicinity do not run dry because of the lake, fearing that the village will face water scarcity once the lake is converted under Section 39-A.
While opposing the TCP move, the gram sabha demanded that the panchayat take the MLA into confidence and convey the opposition to the government.
Sarpanch Colaco later told the media that the special meeting was called after a notice published in the local media disclosed plans by the TCP to convert the lake admeasuring 10,000 square metres for a company under Section 39-A of the TCP Act when the area in question is shown as lake in the regional plan.
He said the gram sabha has vehemently opposed the TCP move, and demanded that the TCP withdraw the decision as per the resolution adopted at the special meeting. “I will call on the Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar and draw his attention to the TCP move and the gram sabha resolution adopted by the Davorlim villagers on Sunday. We will request the MLA to take up the matter with the government,” he said.
Activist Andrew Rebello said the gram sabha members were furious over the TCP move since Davorlim’s population comprises of a large section of ST communities, eking a living on agriculture.
