the goan I network
MARGAO
Planning and Development Authorities (PDAs) stuffed with political appointees has literally been the norm rather than an exception over the years. And, that persons heading the planning bodies are appointed on political considerations rather than on merit has been an open secret.
Against the backdrop of the July 10 political developments, it was but natural that the ruling dispensation has rewarded the Congress-turned-BJP MLAs with chairmanships of the PDAs, including the Greater Panjim PDA, North Goa Planning and Development Authority, South Goa Planning and Development Authority and the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority.
What, however, has come as a big surprise to many was the induction of the supporters of the Congress-turned-BJP MLAs hailing from the villages finding a place on the urban planning bodies, having its jurisdiction over the planning areas in municipal areas.
Take the case of the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) and the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) “ the two planning authorities having its domain over the planning requirements of the planning areas of Mormugao and Margao-Ponda Municipal jurisdiction.
Both MPDA and SGPDA are headed by MLAs Clafacio Dias (Cuncolim) and Wilfred D’Sa (Nuvem) respectively, despite the fact that the two MLAs have no connection with the planning areas of Mormugao, Margao and Ponda.
In the past too, MLAs other than those representing the constituencies of Margao, Fatorda and Ponda have headed the SGPDA, including former Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik, besides former Curchorem MLAs Ramrao Desai and Shyam Sattardekar.
That’s not all. While Clafacio Dias has got two of his close aides from Cuncolim constituency on the MPDA panel, Wilfred followed suit by having his men from Nuvem constituency on the SGPDA.
A glance at the notifications constituting the PDAs has revealed that the Cuncolim MLA has got his close supporters, Jeorgina Fernandes and Brian James Pereira on the Mormugao PDA.
Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa did not lag behind, as he has ensured that his close supporters Remy Fernandes, Verna and Peter D’Costa, Loutolim, are members of the SGPDA.
The Goan understands that the two MLAs had made a strong case for the induction of three members each on the MPDA and SGPDA respectively, but had to settle only for two members each, after the BJP leadership reportedly put its foot down as it had drawn up plans to induct party cadre on the panels and also accommodate nominees recommended by the Town and Country Planning Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar.
Sources in the know informed that the TCP Minister has managed to give representations to his close supporters from Quepem constituency on all the four PDAs, including Quepem Municipal Chairperson Dayesh Naik on the SGPDA and Zilla Panchayat Member Kushali Velip on the MPDA.
