the goan I network
MARGAO
The duo had demanded nothing short of a review of the ODP, right at the level of the local civic body, before the plan is placed before the SGPDA for approval.
With Sardesai now presiding over the affairs of the Town and Country Planning portfolio and the TCP Board, which holds the key vis-Ã -vis the finalisation of the ODP, Kamat has said that he expects Vijai to undo and rectify the wrong in the ODP, which was sought to be approved in haste by the previous government. When The Goan asked Digambar on his expectations from Vijai on the controversial ODP, he said in his inimitable fashion, “When a wrong has been done, it ought to be rectified”.
When asked whether he meant to say that the ODP should be reviewed by the new dispensation, Digamber quipped “naturally”.
Incidentally, when The Goan called up the TCP Minister to shed light on his stand vis-Ã -vis the controversial ODP since he presides over the affairs of the TCP, Vijai said the new ODP will be friendly to the people of Margao.
When reminded that he alongside Margao MLA Digambar Kamat had fought a battle for the scrapping of the ODP, Vijai said, “Whatever corrections that are required will have to be done. The procedure on the finalisation of the ODP will be observed in both letter and spirit”.
When asked whether he meant that the ODP process will again begin from the civic body, Vijai pointed out that since the battle over the ODP was based on the premise that the local civic body was not taken into confidence by the SGPDA, the new government will ensure that the Margao municipality is taken into confidence. “As the TCP Minister, my endeavour would be to give a people-friendly ODP to Madgavkars,” Vijai asserted.
It’s, however, remains unclear what role will Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho will play in the finalisation of the Margao ODP, as he had sought to pass the plan during his tenure as SGPDA chairman.
