Unresolved RP 2021 error rocks Chimbel meeting

PANAJI: Unresolved errors in the Regional Plan 2021 that have shown parts of Chimbel village in Merces panchayat and merged a part of Panelim into Chimbel came to haunt members at the gram sabha held at Chimbel on Sunday.
The claim made by neighbouring Merces panchayat, that the south-western part of Chimbel is in Merces is totally illegal and baseless, the members alleged.
Villagers Manuel Vaz, Gurudas Shirodkar, Tukaram Kunkolkar, Paul Fernandes and others were involved in a heated discussion over the panchayat losing revenue due to some approvals given by the Merces body in the disputed area due to this error.Members pointed out that this draft plan had been unanimously rejected by the Chimbel panchayat.
Members claimed that the rejected RP 2021 cannot be a base for deciding the land dispute petition pending before directorate of panchayat for nearly 10 years. Members demanded that the lawyer handling the case be changed.
A member also pointed out that the Chimbel panchayat, too, could not take decisions regarding the Panelim area shown in Chimbel, as it is an error.
Another resolution tabled by Kunkolkar during the discussion on demonetization of currency urged the panchayat to urge the central government to expedite action against unlawfully acquired properties of mafias, builders and others. The members said banks should send a mobile van with ATM for withdrawal facilities.
Two members, John Lobo and Govind Shirodkar decried the frequent changes in sarpanchas, alleging that the handiwork of some panchas for personal gain was adversely affecting developmental work in the village.
A new housing project in Gaulembhat also sparked off a debate with members asking the panchayat whether a proper study was done on aspects like drainage, sewage and garbage. A complaint had been filed by some ST persons as a burial place is located nearby. Members wanted the licence to be revoked. Panch Chandrakant P Kunkolkar said that he was not aware about housing project.
The issue of an IT park, communication cable and mobile towers erected in Chimbel and non-collection of waste were also discussed.