Plans by the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) to set up a garbage disposal site has received a major setback, with the Cunchelim Communidade strongly opposing moves to acquire 32,050 sq mtrs of their land for the proposed project. "We have already written a letter to the North Goa collector, conveying our objection to the government's proposed intention to acquire our land for dumping garbage,' said Attorney of Cunchelim Communidade Mathew Braganza, while addressing reporters in Mapusa. He explained that the communidade is an autonomous elected body of the members and shareholders committed to and governed by its own constitution. "The aims and objectives of the communidade are directed towards the greater good of the larger percentage of the shareholders. All decisions pertaining to the communidade's assets, including financial and land holdings, have to be approved by the majority of shareholders at a specially convened general body meeting. Any decision taken otherwise bears no legitimacy,' said Mr Braganza. As attorney of the Cunchelim Communidade, Mr Braganza said it was his sworn obligation to preserve and protect the properties and the interests of the communidade. "Neither the administrator of the Communidade nor the State government has any right or power to acquire communidade land without first notifying and discussing the same with the communidade,' Mr Braganza said. "It would be advisable for the government to acquire the land from the Mapusa communidade for the purpose of disposing garbage of Mapusa City and surrounding areas,' he added. He warned that if the government went ahead to acquire land of the Cunchelim communidade, they would be forced to file a petition in the high court. President of Cunchelim communidade Viraj Ganwas was also present for the press conference.