MARGAO
Goa Forward Party rules the roost at the newly-constituted South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) with as many as five members and sympathizers of the regional outfit and coalition partner finding a place on the 13-member Planning and development Authority.
Members of the major Coalition partner, BJP, including Rupesh Mahatme, besides Santoba Desai, have also found a place in the planning body.
While Goa Forward president Dr Renuka Da Silva is heading the planning body as its Chairperson, other prominent members on the body from the party, includes Margao Municipal Councilors Tito Cardozo and Lyndon Pereira, besides Venkat Raut. City-based architect, Ankit Prabhudesai, who is associated with the beautification of the city, has been inducted on the planning body as a member.
Besides, other members on the Planning panel include the three MLAs of Margao, Fatorda and Ponda, besides the Chairpersons of Margao and Ponda Municipal Councils.
That the GF enjoys an advantage assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of moves by the outgoing PDA headed by Mauvin Godinho to push the controversial ODP for Margao and Ponda.
Against this backdrop, sources say the GF will enjoy an advantage and may help the party to put its foot down in getting proposals cleared by the body.
