MAPUSA
Opposing the Outline Development Plan (ODP) 2025 for Calangute-Candolim, the villagers of Calangute has unanimously resolved that the entire ODP should be rejected and redrawn in consultation with the local panchayat, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and other concerned departments.
The locals in the extra-ordinary gram sabha called on Sunday also resolved that the panchayat should take up the issue on behalf of the villagers and request the government to investigate into the illegalities committed in the ODP through either the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) or the Director of Vigilance and prosecute all those persons involved in the scam.
The villagers said that there were several appeals and public interest litigations pointing out the illegalities which were not considered by the government. They said that no local was given a representation on the review committee appointed by the government even as the ODP was prepared without taking the panchayat body into consideration.
The gram sabha members also said that there was no physical inspection carried out to verify grievances as most of the villagers were affected by illegal zoning, as some settlement areas were converted into commercial zones and roads were marked through private properties.
They further said that many of the roads were marked in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) without the approval of the GCZMA.
Pointing to the loopholes in the ODP 2025 notification, gram sabha member Premanand Diukar said the notification should be rejected and the entire ODP should be redrafted.
“The plan needs to be done properly in the interest of the village by taking the villagers into consideration. This plan has been done in the interest of some politicians and the builder lobby which will defeat the entire process of taking the locals into confidence while carrying out development of the village,” Diukar said.
Calangute Sarpanch, Joseph Sequeira informed that the villagers have decided that the ODP notification has to be redone and accordingly the gram sabha resolution will be forwarded to the TCP department that issued the notification, the CM, TCP Minister and the Chief Secretary to ensure that proper ODP is drawn for the village.
“The village has decided to scrap the ODP 2025 notification in the present form.The entire plan should be corrected and a new plan should be drawn by taking the villagers into consideration,” Sequeira said.
