The gram sabha of the Bethora-Nirankal-Conxem-Codar village panchayat in Goa’s Ponda area was adjourned on Sunday after more than 150 villagers refused to confirm the minutes of the previous meeting, alleging that the panchayat had acted against an earlier resolution opposing plot development in the village.
The confrontation followed the reading of the previous meeting’s minutes by the panchayat secretary. Villagers questioned the panchayat over permission granted for plot development at Bethora, despite what residents said was a resolution passed by the gram sabha against such projects within its jurisdiction.
Villagers confronted sarpanch Akshay Gaonkar over the permission. According to the report, Gaonkar attempted to pacify the gathering and said the necessary permissions had been issued in accordance with court directives. The meeting was subsequently adjourned after residents declined to confirm the minutes.
The dispute centres on the relationship between a gram sabha resolution and permissions granted by the village panchayat. Dnyaneshwar Khandeparkar, a resident of Kasamshell-Bethora, said villagers would challenge the decision. The report did not specify the forum or legal process through which the proposed challenge would be filed.
Another villager, Devendra Chari, said the gram sabha held on July 19 had resolved not to allow plot development. He alleged that the panchayat later granted permission during its fortnightly meeting on July 29. The reported sequence has become the basis of residents’ objection to the panchayat’s action.
Chari also alleged that the plot owner had illegally cut a hill. The report does not provide details of any complaint, inspection, enforcement action or official finding concerning the alleged hill cutting. The allegation remains attributed to the villager.
Residents linked the development dispute to the village’s drinking-water situation. Chari said Bethora was already facing a water shortage and that further plot development could aggravate the crisis. The report did not state the number of affected households, the status of local water sources, the size of the proposed development or whether any water-impact assessment had been carried out.
The meeting’s adjournment leaves the previous minutes unconfirmed and the permission contested by residents. The panchayat’s position, as reported, is that the relevant approvals were issued in accordance with court directives. Further action is expected through the villagers’ proposed challenge and the panchayat’s handling of the disputed development permission.
