Digital Goa, June 26 – A proposal to declare 56 villages across Goa as “urban areas” has stirred a hornets nest, with villagers as well as political parties vehemently opposing the move. The proposal came into discussion after Directorate of Panchayats, on the directions of the Revenue Department, sought the views of the respective village panchayats on the move through a circular issued in May this years. The January 27, 2020 notification issued under the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, which had designated 56 villages as urban areas for the purposes of the Act was sent with the circular to the panchayats. The 2020 notification had ‘officially designating’ 56 regional villages as “urban areas” for the statutory purposes of the Act. The listed villages span across multiple talukas, including Pernem (Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Parcem), Bardez (Aldona, Anjuna, Calangute, Candolim, Colvale, Corlim, Guirim, Moira, Nerul, Penha de Franca, Pilerne, Reis Magos, Saligao, Salvador do Mundo, Siolim, Socorro (Serula)), Bicholim (Carapur), Satari (Onda), Tiswadi (Bambolim, Calapor, Chimbel, Cumbarjua, Goa Velha, Jua, Mercurim, Murda, Navelim), and Ponda (Bandora, Borim, Candola, Curti, Marcaim, Orgao, Priol, Quela, and Usgao), Salcete taluka (Aquem, Benaulim, Chinchinim, Curtorim, Davorlim, Nuvem, Raia, Sao Jose de Areal, Varca, and Verna), Mormugao taluka (Chicalim, Cortalim, Pale, and Sancoale), Quepem taluka (Xeldem), and Sanguem taluka (Sanvordem). Incidentally, the government was forced to roll back the circular that time following public opposition and it was withdrawn in Feb 2020 itself. With govt trying to push the proposal again through the May 2026 circular, the issue has sparked fresh controversy.
Goa Congress held a press briefing alleging that the move is aimed at facilitating blatant constructions by changing the status of villages to urban. Other political parties including RGP and AAP have also opposed the move. Opposition to the move has also been voiced by villagers of affected villages. Responding to the controversy, Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate said the matter came into focus again after Taleigao Village Panchayat represented that it fulfilled the criteria for a Census Town. On this backdrop, government decided to seek the views of the other panchayats that were covered under the 2020 notification. The Minister further added that government would take a final decision only after consulting the concerned village panchayats and considering their views
