PANAJI
Goa Congress on Tuesday charged that the finalisation of ODPs in a tearing hurry by the ruling party is but a systematic plan to concretise Goa and to fund the BJP’s 2017 election campaign.
Adopting a combative stance, Margao MLA and former chief minister Digambar Kamat sought to point out that the ongoing exercise is a blatant violation of the Goa, Daman and Diu Town and Country Planning Act, 1976.
Speaking at Congress House, Kamat stated, “The procedures laid down in the Act have been overturned with the three-member committee seeking major zone changes and increase in FAR. It looks like the ruling party is running to complete the ODP before code of conduct comes into force.”
As per Sec 39 of TCP Act the procedure for alteration and changing of ODP has been laid down. The section requires the PDA to consult with the local authorities concerned in preparing the ODP or affecting changes to it.
“Pockets in thickly populated settlement zones have been converted to commercial zones. This is piecemeal conversion and is indicative of and smells of corruption,” Kamat said.
He informed that he is working closely with Fatorda independent MLA Vijai Sardessai and Ponda MGP MLA Lavoo Mamledar in order to prevent the haphazard changes that the South Goa Planning and Development Authority chaired by Dabolim MLA and former Congressmen Mauvin Godinho, is allegedly aiming at.
“We have found that the SGPDA committee, comprising chairman and 3 other members have only increased FARs and changed zones. Margao, for instance, is a congested city and zone changing alone will not help any cause,” Kamat said.
Referring to the recent attempts at bringing Candolim and Calangute areas under Panaji ODP, the former CM questioned the government for mocking the sanctity of the land use plans. “How can this be done without de-notifying the standing Regional Plan 2021?” he demanded.
