PANAJI
Social organizations - Goa Bachao Abhiyan and Goenchi Fudli Pilge Khatir have criticized the recent amendment to Town and Country Planning Act and Goa Land Development and Building Construction Rules while unanimously resolving that these amendments will destroy Goa.
In a meeting held in the capital city, the activists decided to file their suggestions on May 26 while pointing at various flaws in the amendments, which have been kept open by the government for suggestions and objections.
The organizations claimed that the Regional Plan is formulated by a participatory process whereas these amendments allow piecemeal zone changes for individuals, promoting nepotism and corruption, which violates the 73rd Amendment for participatory planning.
“Large tracts of lands namely 65685m2 were converted to settlement in A1 eco-sensitive zone in Morjim, which is not permissible but done under the notification for correction of errors, in a record time of 15 days. Likewise, roads were constructed even before the conversion was approved,” GBA Convener Sabina Martins said.
She further stated that the draft notified on April 27 has 11 amendments to the Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) which will severely impact the eco-sensitive zones and that other building uses, not ancillary to agriculture, were added to the agricultural land.
While slamming various other destructive amendments, Martins informed that the next meeting is scheduled on May 22 in Margao.
