PANAJI
Representatives of the Enough is Enough movement on Monday met Goa's Chief Town Planner (CTP) Vertika Dagur to follow up on their demand for scrapping Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act and the controversial “non‑development zones.”
The delegation, including Claude Alvares, Govind Shirodkar, Elvis Gomes and Devidas Amonkar, said they had submitted a memorandum 15 days ago and the CTP had forwarded their representation to the government along with her own remarks, but no response had yet been received.
“We have sought the government's response in seven more days. If the reply is not favourable, we will escalate the stir after consulting Justice Ferdino Rebello,” Alvares told reporters.
He noted that despite their submission, fresh notifications under Section 39A and non‑development zones had been issued.
“These provisions bypass the Regional Plan entirely. For Goa’s environment and future, both must be scrapped,” he asserted.
Alvares added that earlier amendments -- Sections 17(2) and 16B -- had already caused ecological damage.
He said the group had compiled data on land conversions and would soon make it available online to citizens who he urged to verify the changes in their areas and alert the movement if large projects were planned.
He also pointed out that some private parties had already challenged Section 39A in the High Court, and the group may also consider legal action.
Amonkar said the delegation had given the department 15 days to respond. “Had we not followed up today, we would have remained in the dark," he said, adding that the group will pursue their demands.
A meeting of the 'Enough is Enough' group will be held to chalk out the next steps for the movement before the monsoon session of the Assembly commences on August 31, he added.
They warned that unless the government acts decisively, protests will intensify in the days to come.
