MARGAO
As the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) kick-started the exercise of hearing the objections and suggestions lodged by the parties to the draft-Outline Development Plan (ODP) for Margao and Ponda planning areas, activist Avinash Tavares has demanded that the PDA conduct the exercise in a transparent manner.
Tavares informed that he was called by the PDA for a hearing of his objections to the draft-ODP 2032, but was not even informed about the names of the members of the sub-committee constituted to hear the objections.
“When I demanded to know the names of the panel constituted by the PDA, the Member Secretary point blank told me to get the information under the Right to Information Act. I have found this little absurd since I had just tried to find the names of the penal members,” he said.
He added: “I tried to find out from the PDA Member secretary and the penal whether the PDA has complied with the mandatory requirements including preparation of the land use map and register. I was told that the PDA has only opened the ODP and hence these provisions are not mandatory.
Pointing out that the ODP matter is pending in the High Court, Tavares said the citizens will knock on the doors of the High Court if they come across any discrepancies in the finalisation of the ODP.
