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GBA Press Releases

Charter of Demands-RP 2011

To,
Shri Pratapsingh Rane,
Hon. Chief Minister of Goa
Secretariat,
Porvorim.

Through the Chief Secretary, Government of Goa.

Subject:- Charter of Demands of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan in respect of the Regional Plan and Outline Development Plans (ODPs)

Dear Sir,

We have welcomed the decision of the Government to withdraw the Regional Plan 2011 with retrospective effect. The Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) would like to place before you our immediate 6 Point Charter of Demands in view of the withdrawal of the RP 2011 in Annexure I ( enclosed).

Our enquiries have shockingly revealed that the PDAs/Town Planning Department have subverted the provisions of the Law in preparation of the Outline Development Plans of of the five planning areas of Panjim, Mapusa, Margao, Vasco-da-Gama (including Chicalim village), Ponda as well as the villages of Taleigao/Durgawadi, which is illegal. We were also shocked to learn that despite certain planning areas having been withdrawn from the operation of the TCP Act, the erstwhile ODP of Panjim dated 11.1.90 continues to be in operation in respect of such areas. We are therefore placing before you our 4 Point Charter of Demands in respect of the ODPs of these areas in Annexure II (enclosed).

We hope that you will accede to our demands in public interest.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
GOA BACHAO ABHIYAN
(Dr. Oscar Rebello)
Convenor.

ANNEXURE I

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

In view of the withdrawal of the Regional Plan 2011 with restrospective effect, the Goa Bachao Abhiyan demands that:

1. The Government directs by an Executive Order, all Planning and Licencing Departments and Authorities, including all Municipalities, City Corporation, Village Panchayats etc. not to issue any permissions regarding acquisitions, development and constructions in any zone as per Regional Plan 2011. Instructions be also issued to the District Collector/Deputy Collectors/Mamlatdar to strictly follow the Regional Plan 2001 only while issuing conversion sanads.
2. All Approvals/permissions/licences issued based on Regional Plan 2011 be revoked immediately, and a complete list of those issued be made available to the public.
3. The Government freeze all processes of setting up of SEZs, IT Parks and other Industrial parks in Goa including land acquisitions. Audit of the land area already acquired/earmarked for Industry along with the extent and pattern of employment of goan youth in various types of industry proposed to be set up be made public.
4. The Government issues an Ordinance amending the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1974 and Rules made thereunder to incorporate therein the provisions of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments and to provide for other necessary changes so as to ensure transparency and to put a system of checks and balances in place.
5. A CBI enquiry be initiated with regard to the massive changes of land use made clandestinely and without public knowledge between the period 15.12.2005 and 10.8.2006.
6. The Government take immediate action to appoint a Steering/Monitoring Committee consisting of renowned professionals, TCP Officials and people’s representatives (recommended by the GBA) and headed by the Chief Secretary to guide and monitor the process of formulation of the new Regional Plan for Goa 2007-2017.

ANNEXURE II

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

In view of the gross irregularities committed by the Planning and Development Authorities and the Town and Country Planning Department of the Government of Goa in respect of preparation of the Outline Development Plans of the five planning areas of Panjim, Mapusa, Margao, Vasco-da-Gama (including the village of Chicalim) and Ponda and the villages of Taleigao/Durgawadi, besides the non-planning village areas that were withdrawn from the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act w.e.f. 3.1.2006, the Goa Bachao Abhiyan, demands that:

1. Approvals/Permissions/Conversion Sanads given for development as per the old ODPs in respect of all village areas which have been withdrawn from Planning Areas as per Notification No. 4-5-2-84-UDD/(Part)/06/31 dated 3.1.2006 published in Government Gazette Extraordinary Series I No.39 dated 3.1.2006 be revoked immediately with effect from the date of withdrawal of Planning areas.

2. Action taken against those officers responsible for approving projects in respect of such village areas using the old ODPs which have thus ceased to exist. These village areas should follow the Regional Plan 2001.

3. The present draft ODPs of the Planning areas i.e. Panjim, Mapusa, Margao, Ponda, Vasco-da-Gama (including Chicalim) and the final notified ODP of Taleigao/Durgawadi should be withdrawn immediately as the necessary procedures as required in preparation of the same as per Chapter V of the Town and Country Planning Act and Rules have not been followed. A list of all approvals/permissions/Conversion sanads given based on these illegal ODPs should be made public.

4. Till the new ODPs are prepared following the proper planning process as per the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendment, the previously existing ODPs should be in force and no permissions should be given for individual deviations from the FARs prescribed for different zones therein.

GBA Press Releases

Charter of Demands-RP 2011

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