MARGAO
This question assumed significance and comes against the backdrop of a bitter battle between Vijai and Mauvin over the controversial ODP late last year. In fact, Vijai with the support of Digambar Kamat had stalled the finalisation of the ODP on grounds that the entire exercise was a multi-crore scam, before a city-based NGO United Goans Foundation took the matter to the High Court.
When The Goan posed this question to Mauvin to ascertain whether he would play any role in the finalisation of the Margao ODP when he has been re-elected as MLA and the BJP returning to power, the outgoing SGPDA chairman not only replied in the positive, but hastened to add that the ODP will be approved under his guidance. “After the government headed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar settles down and the government reconstitutes the SGPDA, the Margao ODP will be passed at the earliest. We cannot keep the planning process in abeyance for too long,” Mauvin said.
Incidentally, at the height of the agitation by Vijai and Digambar against the ODP just before the election code of conduct came into force, Mauvin had asserted that he would return back after the Assembly election to give the stamp of approval for the ODP.
On the other hand, when The Goan contacted Vijai Sardesai to shed light on his stand on the controversial ODP, since he is tipped to head the Town and Country Planning (TCP) portfolio, the Fatorda MLA-elect said that even if a decision is passed by the SGPDA vis-Ã -vis the ODP, the Planning Board headed by the TCP minister can always get things rectified at the highest level.
It is still unclear whether Vijai, who had been vocal last year against the controversial ODP, will demand a review of the entire planning process and undo the wrongs he had cited while opposing the Outline Development Plan. Vijai and Digambar had been crying foul over the ODP on grounds that the local Margao civic body, the stakeholder in the planning process, was not taken into account, while finalising the plan.
On the other hand, sources in the know said that though Vijai has extended support to the BJP-led government, the BJP top brass is believed to have reassured Mauvin that the Margao ODP, which was opposed by Vijai, will have a smooth sailing under his guidance.
The Margao ODP had received around 500-plus requests for change in zones, mostly from settlement to commercial capital, across the commercial capital comprising of the planning areas of Margao and Fatorda.
