PANAJI
A delegation comprising of members of nine panchayats and two zilla panchayats led by Jit Arolkar called on the CM Pramod Sawant demanding immediate scrapping of the zoning plan.
They have threatened to launch taluka-wise agitation if the plan is not scrapped by Monday, October 9.
“What is the need to prepare a zoning plan for Pernem when there is already a Regional Plan in place? Why were the panchayats not taken into confidence while drafting the plan?” questioned Arolkar.
The MLA charged that the zoning plan is prepared to facilitate building lobbies that have purchased huge land parcels in the taluka. He pointed out that the plan has no mention about crematoriums, land for traditional fishermen, religious zones and other utility purposes.
Earlier, warning that he will not allow the TCP department to harass his voters, Mandrem MLA said the opposition to the Pernem taluka draft zoning plan is not about just about Pernem taluka as the people of Goa were closely monitoring the developments.
In a statement issued to the media, Arolkar said he respected TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane as a senior legislator. “I may not have the knowledge and experience as my senior colleague, but I know one thing – my Dharma – as an elected member I have a duty to my voters. If my voters want me to take up an issue, no matter my personal opinion, I have to take it up. I will stand with my people,” said Arolkar.
“In any urban planning exercise, ground survey is important. I’m not saying this, the Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation Guidelines (URDPFI) released by Modi government in 2015 state so.”
