Ahead of the scheduled visit by the Chief Minister and the TCP Minister to Cuncolim on April 17, local leaders including Dr Jorson Fernandes, Elvis Gomes and Sammy Tavares have demanded that the state government scrap Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act.
Addressing a joint press conference, the leaders expressed support for Justice (Retd.) Ferdino Rebello and his proposal under the Agriculture Amendment Bill, which calls for the removal of the contentious provision. They said the government must respect his expertise and leadership, noting that he is a native of Cuncolim.
The demand was made in support of the Enough is Enough (EIE) movement, which has been campaigning against what it describes as large-scale and unchecked land conversion in Goa. The movement is led by Justice Rebello and seeks the scrapping of Section 39A not only in areas like Sanquelim, Siridao and Harmal, but across the state.
Sammy Tavares said Cuncolim has a long history of resistance, drawing parallels with the Cuncolim Revolt. He stated that the present opposition to Section 39A represents a similar struggle. “The current battle to save Goan land from the assault of the draconian Section 39A is today’s freedom struggle,” he said.
Dr Jorson Fernandes described Justice Rebello’s proposal as a well-considered intervention rooted in legal understanding. He said it would help preserve the “gõycarponn” of Goans and protect the state from external financial pressures. “The proposal of Justice Rebello was a well thought out exercise of judicial acumen and would go a long way in preserving the gõycarponn of Goan’s from the onslaught of the ‘money bags’ flowing into the State from Delhi,” Fernandes said.
Elvis Gomes pointed to growing unrest across the state, including the ongoing agitation at Karapur-Sarvan in Bicholim. He said concerns over land use and real estate development were intensifying. “We say that the demand of Justice Rebello is our demand too. It is not just a legal battle, but a survival battle for the identity of the state. The hands of TCP are soiled with the destructive effects of Section 39A. They should wash their hands before touching the Chieftains memorial as they fought for the land whereas these ministers are destroying the land,” Gomes said.
The leaders said that Cuncolim would continue to resist any policies perceived as harmful to Goan land and identity.
Separately, Dr Fernandes also raised concerns about the proposed hospital project in the area. As a medical professional, he called for greater transparency and said residents had a right to know what facilities would be provided. He also demanded the upgradation of the Balli Primary Health Centre to a Community Health Centre, similar to the one in Sanquelim.
“This move will entitle the CHC to four more specialists thus reducing the load on the Hospício Hospital in Margao,” Fernandes said.
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