from Sanjay Borkar
for Daijiworld Media Network - Margao (GA)

Margao, Jun 3: Benaulim panchayat Sarpanch Maria Fernandes had to resign on Monday June 2, bowing to pressure from the irked people, who are agitating from last several months to oust the mega business projects.

According to sources people of this coastal belt had asked panchayat members (Panch) to revoke the licenses given to these mega business projects, as it will generate many problems like scarcity of water, power supply and much more.

"If these mega projects of 180 flats become reality in our village, then around 1000 outsiders will come to live here. So the government will have to give them all the facilities, to cater their needs like water and electricity, for which we are opposing the same," said Peter Fernandes.

During the gramsabha held on Sunday June 1, people had demanded that all Panch members should resign from the post as they have granted permission to these mega projects, hurting their sentiments though the Panch members were fully aware that people have opposed the projects.

A similar case had taken place at Kundai, where all Panch members had resigned bowing to people's pressure, before the last panchayat election.

Benaulim people have served ultimatum to panchayat to revoke all the licenses given to these projects. "A failure in this regard will compel us to take to the streets," they warned. 

Meanwhile Raia panchayat has passed resolution to abstain migrant workers who have settled here, to franchise their votes during polls.

Locals of Raia are concerned over the raising number of migrant workers.  Hence they have asked panchayat to make a survey and to keep their records.