Panaji: State govt on Saturday beat a hasty retreat on its proposal to designate 56 villages across Goa as urban areas, withdrawing the circular with immediate effect. It is the second time in a fortnight that BJP administration has reversed a decision under sustained public pressure, and the second time in six years it has shelved this specific proposal.The revenue department withdrew its May 13 circular, which had sought the views of village panchayats on implementing a Jan 27, 2020, notification designating 56 villages in Pernem, Bardez, Bicholim, Sattari, Tiswadi, Ponda, Salcete, Mormugao, Quepem and Sanguem talukas as urban areas under the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968.The proposal sparked strong opposition from village panchayats, residents and political parties, who feared large-scale urbanisation, threats to agricultural land and a heavier tax burden.Following the revenue department’s decision, panchayats director Joao Fernandes told all block development officers to inform the village panchayats that the exercise of collecting public feedback and views on the proposal stands withdrawn.“In the event that any village panchayat has already issued a notice or scheduled a regular, special, or extraordinary gram sabha meeting to deliberate on the above specific agenda item, the said gram sabhas shall stand cancelled with immediate effect,” Fernandes said.The reversal comes a week after govt rolled back penalties imposed on consumers for exceeding sanctioned power loads and put the controversial smart meter rollout on hold.Political observers say both decisions reflect BJP’s growing anxiety ahead of the assembly elections, now less than a year away.This is also the second time the proposal has been withdrawn following public resistance. A similar exercise in 2020 triggered widespread protests, and its revival this year reignited opposition, with panchayats in Varca, Chinchinim and several other villages in Salcete preparing resolutions against the move.Congress president Girish Chodankar termed the decision a “humiliating retreat” and said it was the result of united public resistance rather than govt goodwill. GFP chief Vijai Sardesai said the withdrawal was due to his party’s ultimatum to mobilise villages across the state.Revenue minister Atanasio Monserrate sought to allay concerns, assuring that no village would be declared urban without consultation and that any future decision would require the consent of the affected panchayats.“Village communities across Goa have spoken loud and clear… they demand a new regional plan that safeguards Goa’s land, rivers, hills, and fields. The people do not want their areas to be classified as urban, which would threaten the rural character, environment, and traditional livelihoods that define Goa’s soul,” said AAP MLA Cruz Silva.
