Mapusa council has to prepare city’s devp plan: Camarcazano tenants

“As per the 74th Constitutional amendment, it is the Mapusa Municipal Council which is required to prepare the development plan for the council limits which it has so far neglected to do. Due to this negligence on the part of the MMC, the NGPDA is continuing to do the exercise,” said John Lobo, General Secretary of the tenants association in a memorandum to the Mapusa Chairperson, Ryan Braganza.

He said that the NGPDA has prepared the map and land use register for the planning area of Mapusa which mostly falls within the jurisdiction of the Mapusa council.

“This exercise is not based on any provision of law. The map and land use register under Section 26 for Mapusa has already been carried out and notified prior to preparation of the Mapusa ODP and cannot be carried out a second time,” he said.

He further said that since the NGPDA is based in Panaji, its knowledge of the localities and wards of Mapusa leaves a lot to be desired.

“As per inspection carried out by some members of the public, it is found that all sort of irregularities are being promoted in the document,” he said.

Lobo said that the Tenants Association of Camarcasanacho Bundh in consultation with other associations of Mapusa has taken a decision to demand the preparation of the Mapusa development plan by the Mapusa Municipal Council in line with constitutional requirements.

“The city of Mapusa is in your hands and not in the hands of the NGPDA,” the General Secretary of the tenants association said.

“The development plan can be prepared in consultation with all the people in the local wards and all their requirements and demands in terms of proper planning of the city can be taken for consideration,” he added.

Lobo has asked the council to pass a formal resolution asserting its right to prepare the development plan of Mapusa Municipal Council area and write to the government in this regard.