the goan I network
MARGAO
Newly-appointed Chairman of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA), MLA Wilfred D’Sa on Friday dropped clear hints that the government will soon take a call to review the Outline Development Plan for Margao finalised and notified during the tenure of outgoing PDA headed by Goa Forward leader Dr Renuka Da Silva.
Soon after taking over the reigns of office on Friday, the PDA chairman told The Goan that a host of complaints have come to light in respect of the ODP which was finalised by the previous body. “The issue whether the Margao ODP will be reviewed and re-visited by the PDA will be taken in consultation with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, TCP Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar and PDA members,” Wilfred said.
While one will have to wait and see whether the government would review the Margao ODP, the SGPDA chairman made it clear after assuming office that the PDA will take all steps to protect the heritage character of the old market area, right from the tinto to the Holy Spirit Church square is an indication that the new body will take a look at the changes, made during the finalisation of the ODP.
Wilfred’s statement assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the objections raised by the residents inhabiting the Holy Spirit Church area to the commercial zone and later a special residential zone proposed metres away from the Church, with locals fearing that the change in zone would change the character and demography of the place.
Meanwhile, the new PDA chairman made it clear that the new panel will look into the complaints received on the ODP, besides issues relating to the retail and wholesale fish markets on the cleanliness front and the non-functioning lift.
Saying that the PDA should clean up its backyard first, Wilfred pointed out that the building lift will be put in order first and give relief to the visitors. “How can we move forward without a lift to the building,” he
questioned.
Asked to comment on the controversy over the non-inclusion of Margao Municipal Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai on the PDA panel, the PDA chairman made it clear that the PDA rules mandate the appointment of two Municipal councillors, saying the rules are silent on the induction of the Municipal chairperson on the PDA.
New body questions Goa Forward’s criticism of SGPDA constitution
MARGAO: Goa Forward’s criticism of the constitution of the SGPDA came in for a strong reply from members of the planning body, who questioned the leadership of the regional party for having appointed a person from Porvorim to head the PDA over the last two years.
SGPDA Chairman Wilfred D’Sa further questioned Goa Forward supremo Vijai Sardesai that not fielding a single women candidate in the 2017 Assembly election if he has so much love for the women.
BJP leader and PDA member, Rupesh Mahatme, who was also a member of the previous body headed by Goa Forward leader Dr Renuka Da Silva, pointed out that the outgoing PDA chairperson was appointed on hot seat despite she hailing from Porvorim. He was ostensibly trying to deflate the criticism over the appointment of PDA members from the villages.
Chairman Wilfred went a step forward to say the Goa Forward leader is only trying to make an issue just to divert attention. “If the Goa Forward leaders were so much concerned about women, why did they not field a women candidate in the 2017 Assembly election,” Wilfred demanded to know.
New SGPDA body’s top priority: Hygiene & cleanliness of wholesale fish market
MARGAO: Putting the wholesale fish market in place on hygiene and cleanliness will be on top priority of the new SGPDA body headed by Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa.
In fact, after assuming office on Friday, D’Sa said the new panel will soon meet and inspect the PDA markets, including the wholesale fish market, to check hygiene and sanitation. “I will take all the members into confidence before drawing up a plan of action to not only instill discipline and order, but enforce hygiene and sanitation in the wholesale fish market,” he told the media.
To a question on the demand of the retail fish vendors on closure of the wholesale fish market after business hours, the new PDA chairman said all these issues will be discussed and deliberated threadbare before taking a final decision.
