PANAJI
On Wednesday, Pernem villagers came out in large numbers to meet Chief Minister Pramod Sawant demanding scrapping of the draft zoning plan of Pernem taluka, which is currently kept in abeyance.
Former MGP MLA Parshuram Kotkar -- who submitted the memorandum on behalf of the villagers -- was in tears, as with folded hands he requested the CM to listen to the grievances of the villagers.
Stating that the plan is currently kept in abeyance, the Chief Minister assured the villagers to look into their demand (of scrapping the plan) in consultation with the TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane. Sawant also guaranteed that the government will not go ahead with the draft plan without taking the villagers and other stakeholders into confidence.
“Pernem is part of Goa and as a Chief Minister, I assure that this government is with the people. The zoning plan is currently kept in abeyance and we are not going ahead with it at this stage,” Sawant told the villagers.
He said that the government will take everyone into confidence before taking any decision on the plan. “No plan will be prepared or finalized without consulting the people. I will look into your demand and the decision will be taken in due course in consultation with the Minister,” he said, adding that the decision on scrapping the plan can be taken only in TCP board meeting.
The villagers that included youths, women, and senior citizens were unanimous in their demand that the plan should be scrapped. The villagers expressed concern that if the plan is kept in abeyance, it can make backdoor entry at any point of time; more likely post Lok Sabha elections. They also warned to take to the streets if the plan is not scrapped at the earliest.
“We are not against the development but we want our Pernem identity to be maintained. Pernem is an agriculture taluka and we want to protect it. Development cannot be allowed at the cost of the environment and livelihood of the people,” the villagers said.
The villagers highlighted how they extended their support to the BJP government when the Mopa International airport was proposed. “We gave our land to Mopa because the government guaranteed jobs, business opportunities to our youths. But today we have got nothing. Our educated youths are not getting deserving jobs. Our taxis are not entertained at the airport. We don’t want to suffer more,” they said.
The villagers also accused their MLA Pravin Arlekar for failing to take them into confidence.
