PANAJI
Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday ruled out scrapping of the draft GIS-based zoning plan of Pernem taluka while assuring to take on board the suggestions and objections from the locals before finalizing the plan. Rane also said that all the eleven panchayats and a municipality will be taken into confidence before going ahead with the plan.
A delegation of sarpanch, panch, chairpersons and councillors from Pernem taluka led by their MLA Pravin Arlekar had a meeting with Rane, during which the local body representatives raised various concerns with regards to the plan. During the meeting, the Minister assured to hold a panchayat-wise presentation of the draft plan for public awareness and seek inputs for necessary incorporation in the final plan.
Addressing a press conference post meeting, Rane said that the suggestions from the people will be addressed by the expert committee of the Town & Country Planning Board and the Sky consultant, who had prepared the plan. “This is an inclusive plan and it’s open for public suggestions and objections. I don’t interfere in the planning process. My only role is to oversee the process,” he said.
“There is no question of scrapping or cancelling the plan. We will take all the suggestions on board. Every panchayat and municipality will be consulted and their views will be considered. If there are some errors in the draft plan, the same would be corrected in the final plan,” Rane said adding “first time MLA should not advise me on scrapping a plan”.
The Minister said that he will be in Indore (Madhya Pradesh), for election-related campaigns for the next 50 days, during which the department will accept the public views and scrutinize it. “We are not in a hurry. It’s a people's plan,” he said.
He said that the taluka that houses an international airport and proposed electronic city, needs to have proper planning, keeping in mind the upcoming 20 years. Post public consultation, the Minister will hold another round of consultation with local body representatives on the final plan.
