Digital Goa, June 27 – The Goa Government has withdrawn its controversial May 2026 circular seeking the views of village panchayats on the proposal to notify 56 villages across the state as urban areas. The Revenue Department, through a letter dated June 27, informed the Directorate of Panchayats that the earlier communication dated May 13, 2026, stands withdrawn with immediate effect. The proposal had sparked widespread opposition from villagers, panchayats and political parties, who feared that the move would pave the way for large-scale urbanisation, threaten agricultural land and village character, and increase the tax burden on residents. The May 2026 circular had sought the views of village panchayats on implementing a January 27, 2020 notification issued under the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, which designated 56 villages across Pernem, Bardez, Bicholim, Satari, Tiswadi, Ponda, Salcete, Mormugao, Quepem and Sanguem talukas as “urban areas” for the purposes of the Act. Incidentally, a similar exercise had triggered strong public protests in 2020, forcing the government to withdraw the proposal in February that year. The fresh attempt through the May 2026 circular had once again reignited opposition across several villages. With the latest communication, the government has formally withdrawn the circular with immediate effect.
