The ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed Unity Mall in Chimbel has seen local leadership solidify their stance following high-level discussions. Chimbel Sarpanch Sandesh Shirodkar, after concluding a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, publicly reiterated his commitment to the local constituents. He stated unequivocally that the village Panchayat stands firmly with the people and confirmed that the local body has not granted any permission for the project’s development.
In a bid to clear up confusion regarding the project’s authorization, Shirodkar provided crucial administrative clarifications. The Sarpanch explicitly pointed out that the approval for the Unity Mall was actually issued by the Block Development Officer (BDO) rather than the local Panchayat. This statement effectively shifts the responsibility for the project’s initial clearance away from the village-level representatives, highlighting a bypass of local consent in the administrative process.
The shifting dynamics of the dispute have also prompted other local representatives to reassess their positions. Panch Shankar Naik notably retracted his earlier stance on the issue, officially declaring that he will support the locals if they choose to oppose the mall’s construction. Concurrently, Zilla Panchayat (ZP) member Gauri Kamat adopted a conditional viewpoint, maintaining that the Unity Mall should only be brought to Chimbel if it demonstrates a genuine benefit to the local residents.