* It is a bogus map, alleges Joseph Sequeira * Candolim sarpanch warms up to proposal while Agnelo cries foul
Photo Credits: Calangute ODP
Calangute MLA faces
heat over ODP map
AGNELO PEREIRA
MAPUSA
The outline development plan for Calangute has just gone on display and local MLA Michael Lobo has found himself at the receiving end of allegations that the main purpose of the plan is to benefit builders and target political opponents.
“It’s a bogus map and the plan is meant for the builders and not for the common man,” snapped Joseph Sequeira, deputy sarpanch of Calangute and a bitter opponent of the local MLA.
Giving a specific example, he alleged that Estrela do Mar, a hotel close to the beach, has been shown as residential and the area around the hotel has been declared as orchard land.
“How can you prepare a piecemeal plan, where structures belonging to supporters of the MLA have been shown as residential and those belonging to the opposition shown as green area,” he hit back.
He further alleged that the MLA has been threatening locals to accept the plan or else, face action.
In the land use map, provisions have been made for a jogging park, gardens for children, community halls etc. A provision for a 20-metre road from Sinquerim to Baga has also been mapped.
Aguada hill has been notified as no development zone as per the plan.
But the opposition is not convinced.
Former two-time legislator of Calangute and senior Congress office bearer, Agnelo Fernandes does not agree with the ODP concept and sees the whole exercise as a scam in the making.
“The local MLA wants to bring the ODP to help builders. The villagers had already prepared a regional plan for Calangute by engaging experts in the past. What is the sudden need of an ODP for the village? This land use map is a scam by Michael Lobo,” Fernandes argued.
For a change, the Candolim Panchayat, which has backed Agnelo Fernandes in good and bad times, has shown interest in the idea and appears to be backing the government plan.
“I think it’s a good concept which will encourage planned development in the village. All the panchayat members are supporting the plan,” said Candolim Sarpanch Sandra Fiola.
She said it’s a process which will legalise present structures and discourage any illegalities in future.
The former MLA, however, refused to budge from his position.
He said that the Candolim panchayat was taken for a ride by giving wrong information by the local MLA and the NGPDA authorities.
“The Candolim panchayat has been misguided by the local MLA. There was a meeting called by the NGPDA officials at the behest of the local MLA at a gram sabha in the panchayat. They passed a resolution in favour of the ODP by a voice vote,” Fernandes said.
On July 24, the Calangute panchayat has convened a special gram sabha to discuss the land use map and the ODP.
“The special gram sabha will decide if the land use map is needed or not,” Sequeira signed off setting the tone on the issue.
