PANJIM, June 28 -- Bowing to intense public pressure and political outcry, the State government on Saturday withdrew its controversial May 2026 circular proposing to notify 56 villages across Goa as urban areas, prompting the Directorate of Panchayats to immediately cancel all scheduled Sunday, June 28 gram sabhas to discuss the issue while opposition leaders and environmental activists declared the sudden retreat a decisive victory for the people of Goa.

The Revenue Department, through a letter dated June 27, 2026, informed the Directorate of Panchayats that the earlier communication dated May 13, 2026, stands withdrawn with immediate effect.

The proposal had sparked widespread opposition from villagers, panchayats, political parties a...