Panaji, June 27: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has welcomed the Revenue Department’s decision to withdraw the notification proposing the urbanisation of 56 villages, describing it as a major victory for the people of Goa and a setback for the BJP Government.

GPCC President Girish Chodankar said the Congress had opposed the proposal from the outset and stood with affected villagers, Gram Panchayats, civil society organisations and citizens who feared the move would alter the character of Goa’s villages.

He said the withdrawal was not an act of generosity by the government but the result of united public resistance. According to Chodankar, the victory belongs to villagers, Panchayats, social organisations and every Goan who opposed the proposal.

Chodankar alleged that the BJP Government attempted to push urbanisation without adequate public consultation, ignoring the constitutional role of Panchayats and concerns related to land use, ecology, infrastructure, governance and Goa’s cultural heritage.

He further criticised the government for allegedly taking decisions without public consensus and withdrawing them only after widespread opposition. Quoting the phrase, “Der Aaye, Durust Aaye,” he said the government had eventually corrected its mistake but should not have issued the notification in the first place.

Warning against similar moves in the future, Chodankar said the Congress would continue to oppose any decision that threatens Goa’s villages, environment, land, culture and identity. He also reiterated that the party would resist what it termed anti-people and anti-Goa policies, including indiscriminate urbanisation, commercialisation of public assets, environmental degradation and the weakening of local self-governance.

The GPCC President congratulated villagers, Gram Panchayats, Gram Sabhas, youth, women, social organisations, environmental activists and citizens whose collective opposition, he said, compelled the government to withdraw the notification.

He added that the development demonstrated the strength of public unity and democratic participation in protecting Goa’s identity.