the goan I network
PANAJI
Former Calangute MLA and GPCC general secretary and spokesperson Agnel Fernandes on Thursday alleged that the present Calangute MLA and deputy Speaker Michael Lobo has included concrete structures in the Calangute-Candolim ODP which don’t exist on ground.
Comparing an image of the RP for Calangute-Candolim with the draft ODP, Fernandes pointed to hundreds of concrete structures included in the ODP, which have yet to materialize on ground.
“Lobo has shown structures where none exist. His plan is to sell these plots for construction to non-Goans for crores of rupees once ODP is finalized,” Fernandes claimed.
He also sought to highlight several other violations of CRZ, No Development Zone and Eco Sensitive Zone which have been condoned in the ODP. “PDA is only adding to corruption and is destroying the face of Candolim village,” Fernandes said.
Activist Damien Telles relied on similar government documents and maps to argue that water bodies such as ponds and springs have been filled out illegally and stated, “ODP is not based on an environment impact assessment. It protects neither the heritage not the biodiversity. In fact, an entire fishing jetty at Saipem has been erased out of the ODP to make way for construction plots,” he said.
Activist Roshan Mathias demanded that the powers of allowing development should be given back to the panchayat.
