MARGAO
Strongly dismissing TCP Minister Francis D'Souza's statement about the rectification of errors by TCP department pertaining to large scale increase in settlement zones before placing Regional Plan 2021 for public review, 'Rainbow Warriors' have demanded the resignation of the TCP Minister and the Chief Town Planner for their “incompetence and unsuitability” for this task.
A press release issued by 'Rainbow Warriors' president, Rony Dias, informs that the plans displayed are the same that were notified in 2010-11, and even carry the signatures of Digambar Kamat, the then TCP Minister. “How can the TCP Minister be so ignorant that he does not know that if the plans were rectified, he would have to sign them, at least?” asks Dias.
According to Dias, it is a fact that no rectifications have been carried out despite thousands of serious lapses in the zoning plans pointed out by concerned citizens, four years ago. “The TCP Department, which has been accused by the past Chief Minister of being totally corrupt, has slept over the people's representations, rather than acting upon them, collecting data, or carrying out studies required under the law,” he adds.
In the press release, Dias has also demanded the maintenance of status quo with regards to settlement zones (must be settlement in both RP 2001 and 2021), a moratorium be issued on all constructions in the State except family dwellings. “A new plan must be prepared based on the real facts and grave future challenges due to water shortages, weakening monsoons, increased risk of storms, droughts and floods, rising sea levels and the limited carrying capacity of our tiny State," states Dias in the press release.
