the goan I network
PANAJI
Over a thousand villagers from Candolim, Calagute, Saligao, Parra, Azossim-Mandur, Sinquerim, Arpora, Chimbel, Merces and Bambolim gathered at the Azad Maidan in Panaji under the banner of “Goemkar against PDA” (GAP) to protest the arbitrarily formulated Outline Development Plans for Greater Panaji and Calangute-Candolim.
Speaking on behalf of the protestors, convenor of GAP Arthur D’Souza gave an ultimatum of eight days, till April 13, for fulfillment of four primary demands which include denotification of Planning and Development Authority from all villages, amendment of the Town and Country Planning Act, constitutional powers to the villagers and scrapping of the Regional Plan 2021.
“No Environment Impact Assessment was conducted while drafting these ODPs. The PDAs were formed swiftly by mid-February, immediately after the first Gazette notification was published on December 21 last year. We know how land deals are being struck and we will not keep quiet,” D’Souza stated.
He questioned why Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate, who is presently not a member of the elected Legislative Assembly, was asked to head the Greater Panaji PDA.
GAP leader Roshan Mathias warned the Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardessai against using religious festivals to garner support for PDA-related decisions. “Don’t use Easter and other festivals to give away what you think are ‘gifts”. Scrap all PDAs and come to us with an amended TCP Act. We will celebrate ‘Goem, Goemkar, Goemkarponn’ with you only after that,” Mathias declared.
GAP has given the TCP department as well as the BJP-led state government time till April 13, which is the last date for filing of objections to Calangute-Candolim ODP, for withdrawal of both the ODPs and PDAs. “If not, we will start a hunger strike outside the residence of Michael Lobo and Sardessai,” Mathias said.
Environmentalist Dr Claude Alvares voiced the full support of Goa Foundation to the protest and demanded the scrapping of TCP Act. “The only decision and final say on construction in a village should be of the gram sabha. All illegal constructions began after TCP Act came into force in 1974. Gram sabha-led constitutional approvals of development in a village should be the demand,” he advised.
Activist Prajal Sakhardande urged the people not to fall prey to the promise of development voiced by politicians to cover up for the haphazard planning undertaken through PDAs.
Sakhardande also demanded to know how the TCP Department could retain Kadamba plateau in the GPPDA while dropping Chimbel village. “Kadamba plateau is a part and parcel of Chimbel. How can you retain it while taking Chimbel out? Is it because you know that it a real estate gold mine? Is it because you want
Is this not preaching anarchy, asks Vijai
MARGAO: Town and Country Planning Minister Vijay Sardesai on Friday sought to know whether a TCP Minister should engage with someone who wants the TCP Act, the basis of the department and the department itself to be scrapped.
Reacting to the demand made at the Public meeting at the Azad Maidan, Sardesai said this is akin to a candidate in an election demanding the scrapping of the Constitution.
‘Is this not preaching anarchy and how far should this be allowed to go’, he further demanded to know.
