Local residents hold Velim Piat accountable for “lawlessness” in the area of ​​the Catbon pier

Team Herald

MARGAO: The Velim gram sabha on Sunday witnessed a heated debate with members alleging that the panchayat body was responsible for alleged illegal commercial structures in the Kathbon jetty area.

The villagers have decided to designate a Main District Road (MDR) from Welim to Muhira, indicating their commitment to local governance and development.

The gram sabha, chaired by Sarpanch Veena Cardozo, saw active participation from community members who expressed their concerns over various issues affecting the village.

Villagers are expressing their anger over the alleged illegal constructions that benefit only a select few and deprive others of their livelihood. They made it clear that they do not support these illegal structures, emphasizing their commitment to equitable development for the benefit of the entire community.

They said: “We want the Cath Bona wharf area to be developed with legal structures that benefit local people and help them earn a living. The fisheries department must take steps to facilitate this.”

Savio D’Silva, a resident of the village, expressed disappointment over the illegal construction of structures in the Cat Bona jetty area.

He said: “Yes, the villagers have suggested that locals should have access to business opportunities at Cat Bona Jetty as currently only a few people are making significant profits from renting out illegally built structures.”

He expressed his opposition to the Welim to Muhira MDR, saying it should be designated to protect local interests.

He said local residents and their homes would be affected if the road from Velim to Muhir was declared MDR.

D’Silva also said that the panchayat had granted permission for a project that had earlier been rejected, raising concerns about transparency and the decision-making process within the panchayat.

Sarpanch Veena said that the panchayat will write to the authorities concerned asking them to designate the road from Velim to Mukhir as MDR. She noted that the issue of stray cattle was discussed during the gram sabha.