MARGAO: The resolution on land acquisition taken by the Margao Municipal Council at its Monday’s meeting is still being hotly debated even as the proposal is forwarded to the government for its approval.

The council at its meeting on Monday had resolved to ask for land to be acquired for a burial ground for the three major Goan communities – 30,191 odd sqm - and the other for community projects – 99, 513 sqm odd. This proposal has been forwarded to the Collector, South for starting off acquisition proceedings and other government departments for granting of various NOCs.

However, the proposal makes it very clear that the council had decided that in case of any objections received, then the Collector should decide such objections at his level. Monday’s meeting saw ward councillor, Ms Ciriaca Rodrigues arguing that she had not been taken into confidence on this proposal and drew attention that a church hall and a cemetery stands near the area, which was sought to be acquired for the
burial ground. The councillors led by Mr Raju Naik also demanded to know why the civic body was being dragged into the controversy as earlier land was acquired for a cemetery directly without the council being involved so this time too the same procedure should have been followed. It may be recalled that the Margao Muslim community has flatly rejected Sonsodo for the setting up of the kabrastan with media reports quoting the general secretary of the Sirvodem Masjid, Mr Abdulmatin Daud Carol saying that the Muslim community has conveyed its strong opposition to the National Commission for the Minorities to the Sonsodo site as the stinking site was unacceptable to the Muslim community because of religious ceremonies involved.

Another prominent member of the community and BJP executive member, Mr Sahikh Jina too has criticised the move saying that the "majority of Muslims in South Goa, and in Salcete in particular will not accept the
Sonsoddo site…." Mr Jina has asked for the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the Assembly in 1999 and allot the land earmarked at Aquem.

This resolution had envisaged acquiring the land admeasuring 99,000 square meters at Aquem as per the resolution adopted by the Goa Legislative Assembly in 1999 and tabled by then MLA and present Chief Minister.