PANAJI
AAP Goa President Valmiki Naik on Monday accused the BJP government of facilitating large-scale land conversions through Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act and promised to repeal the provision if the party comes to power in the 2027 Assembly elections.
Naik claimed that nearly 53 lakh square metres of land have been unlocked for settlement under Section 39A, with major conversions taking place in villages such as Korgao, Sancoale, Old Goa, Parcem and Thivim, while Pernem has recorded the highest concentration of such conversions.
He alleged that the conversion of orchard land, paddy fields, natural cover and cultivable land poses a serious threat to Goa's ecological balance, groundwater recharge, biodiversity, food security and agricultural sustainability.
"The BJP government has remained unconcerned about the environmental consequences and has instead prioritised monetary interests," Naik alleged.
The AAP leader assured that if his party is elected to power in 2027, repealing Section 39A would be among its first decisions.
"Section 39A will be scrapped along with the BJP government. All land conversions approved under it will be reviewed and revoked as a top priority to protect Goa's land, environment and identity," Naik said.
