OLD GOA
Stating that the amendment to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act would spell doom for Goa, the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) has decided to protest outside the TCP office in Panaji on Friday to demand that the amendment is scrapped.
Speaking to reporters in Panaji on Monday, RGP supremo Manoj Parab informed that through the amendment, the government seeks to bring in unwanted projects in the State like golf courses, film cities, film studios, yoga and meditation centres and various others projects.
“The Amendment also allows projects to come up in agricultural land and low-lying areas which was not allowed earlier. It will spell doom for the agriculture in the State,” Parab informed and alleged that it is the BJP government’s hidden agenda to benefit the builders lobby.
He further informed that the unauthorised structures of the rich and the powerful are sought to be legalised through the amendment, which includes the Old Goa structure as well.
“To show our disappointment with this disastrous exercise, we are going to protest outside the TCP office in Panaji on Friday to demand that the amendment be scrapped,” he added, while appealing to Goans who love their motherland to attend in large numbers.
“Further, we are going to undertake awareness drives all over Goa to make people aware of the disaster that the amendment will bring to the State,” he stated and urged Goans to submit their objections to the amendment before September 27, which is the last date for submission of objections.
“Our team is willing to help the people draft their objections,” Parab stated.
He further informed that the proposal should be sent for discussion at the gram sabhas to allow the people decide whether they want such an amendment or not.
“When such a decision is taken to amend the TCP Act, the people should be consulted, and we demand that the proposal be sent to the gram sabhas for the say of the people,” Borkar said.
He further demanded that the notification should be published in the local languages like Konkani and Marathi so that every Goan is aware of the changes that are sought to be made in the TCP Act.
Parab then issued a warning that if the government does not withdraw the amendment, RGP will be forced to hit the streets.
Earlier, Ajay Kholkar cited how the government is seeking to bring in largescale changes in the TCP Act, which will allow projects detrimental to the interests of Goa and Goans. Vishvesh Naik also spoke at the news conference.
