It is distressing to know that even after a number of meetings on the contentious Regional Plan issue, the Congress Legislative Party has still failed to come to a firm and unambiguous conclusion on this issue. Since most Congress MLAs appear to be clueless on their stand on RP, TCP Act and PDAs, let me refresh their memories by quoting from the Congress Election Manifesto, 2017 and hopefully prod them into some clarity on the stand they need to take.
On RP 2021 and TCP Act: “We will amend RP 2021 and reformulate it under provisions of a newly reformed TCP Act. The newly amended TCP Act shall incorporate mandatory provisions under 73rd and 74th Amendment Act, Environment Protection and Heritage Protection Acts.” “Scrap all PDAs. TCP will provide technical support for planning, execution and monitoring to local bodies”
On PDAs: The Congress should realise that 17 of their candidates were elected by the people of Goa based on this manifesto, making it the single largest party in the Assembly. Do these MLAs not feel obliged to keep their promises to the electorate? Or have they decided to also adopt the adhoc style of brazen U-turns that is the hallmark of the present ruling dispensation? How long does it take for the Congress to get its act together? Time is fast running out for the indecisive, apparently somnolent Goa Congress Party.
Diana Pinto, Nagoa
