The Goa government has withdrawn its May 13, 2026 circular that revived the process of declaring 56 villages as urban areas under the Goa Land Revenue Code, following sustained opposition from village panchayats, residents and political parties across the state.
In an order issued by the Revenue Department on Saturday, the government said the communication dated May 13, 2026, “stands withdrawn with immediate effect,” ending the exercise initiated to seek comments from the affected village panchayats.
The withdrawn circular had directed the Directorate of Panchayats to obtain the views of 56 villages proposed to be notified as urban areas. The move revived a proposal first issued in January 2020 but withdrawn within weeks after widespread public protests.
The latest exercise sparked renewed resistance across Goa. Several gram sabhas and village panchayats passed resolutions opposing the proposal, with residents expressing concerns that urbanisation would alter the rural character of villages, affect agricultural land, weaken the Panchayat system and increase the tax burden on local communities.
The Congress stepped up its campaign against the proposal, urging villagers to submit objections through their respective panchayats.
Party spokesperson Amit Palekar said, “Congress block committees would take the issue to every affected village.” He also warned that the party would protest outside the Directorate of Panchayats if the notification was not withdrawn, alleging that the proposal was intended to bring villages under Planning and Development Authorities (PDAs).
In Santa Cruz, panch member Inacio Dominic Pereira and social activist Arturo D’Souza opposed the proposal to declare Calapor an urban area, calling on the government to conduct a detailed study and consult residents before taking a decision.
Residents of Chimbel also launched a campaign against the proposal, demanding that the matter be discussed at a special Gram Sabha meeting. They appealed to MLA Rudolph Fernandes to meet villagers and announced plans for a door-to-door awareness drive on the possible impact of urbanisation.
While the government has withdrawn the consultation process initiated in May, it has not clarified whether the broader proposal to notify the 56 villages as urban areas has been abandoned permanently.
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