Withdrawal of Urbanisation Notification is People’s Victory; BJP Must Stop Experimenting with Goa’s Villages – Girish Chodankar

Withdrawal of Urbanisation Notification is People’s Victory; BJP Must Stop Experimenting with Goa’s Villages – Girish Chodankar

Panaji: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Shri Girish Chodankar has welcomed the Revenue Department’s decision to withdraw the notification proposing the urbanisation of 56 villages, calling it a decisive victory of the people of Goa and a humiliating retreat by the BJP Government in the face of overwhelming public opposition.

Reacting to the development, Girish Chodankar said that the Congress Party had taken up this issue from day one, stood firmly with the affected villagers, Gram Panchayats, civil society organisations and every concerned Goan, and consistently opposed the BJP Government’s attempt to alter the character of Goa’s villages.

“The withdrawal of this notification is not the BJP Government’s generosity; it is the result of the united resistance mounted by the people of Goa. This victory belongs to every villager, every Panchayat, every social organisation and every citizen who refused to allow Goa’s identity to be compromised,” Chodankar said.

He said the BJP Government had attempted to impose urbanisation without building public consensus, ignoring the constitutional role of Panchayats and the legitimate concerns of local communities regarding land use, ecology, infrastructure, governance and Goa’s unique cultural heritage.

“This Government has developed a dangerous habit of taking anti-Goa decisions first and withdrawing them only after people rise in protest. Governance cannot function through repeated confrontation with the people. Goa deserves consultation, transparency and respect—not arbitrary decisions imposed from above,” he remarked.

Quoting the saying, “Der Aaye, Durust Aaye,” Chodankar stated that while the Government had finally corrected its mistake, it should never have issued such a notification in the first place.

The GPCC President warned the BJP Government against making any future attempts to force anti-Goa policies upon the people.

“Let this serve as a clear message to the BJP Government. Do not attempt to impose decisions that threaten Goa’s villages, environment, land, culture and identity. Whenever the interests of Goa are endangered, the Congress Party will stand with the people and fight relentlessly until justice prevails.”

Chodankar further stated that the Congress Party will continue exposing and resisting every anti-people and anti-Goa decision of the BJP Government, whether it concerns indiscriminate urbanisation, commercialisation of public assets, destruction of the environment or dilution of local self-governance.

He congratulated all the villagers, Panchayats, Gram Sabhas, youth, women, social organisations, environmental activists and every concerned Goan whose unity compelled the Government to withdraw the notification.

“Today’s development proves that when the people of Goa stand united, no government—however arrogant—can override their collective will. This is a victory for democracy, people’s participation and Goa’s identity.”