GBA Press Releases

Meeting Held with CS

GBA PRESS RELEASE,August 2007: Subsequent to the meeting held on 16th August, 2007, the Chief Secretary called for a follow up meeting today to review the status of permissions issued under the Regional Plan 2011.

Besides the GBA, Officials from various departments were present, viz. Town and Country Planning, Police, Collectorates, Directorate of Municipal Administration,and Directorate of Panchayats.
The outcome of the meeting :

1. As per the status report dated 3.8.2007, all conversion sanads have been revoked by the North and South Goa Collectorates, with the condition that the sites be restored to their original status.
2. The Director of Panchayat informed that on 17.8.2007 through an Office Memorandum, all BDOs have been directed to immediately issue stop work notices in respect of all such constructions. He further informed that the BDO will be conducting site visits today to ensure that works have stopped.
3. The Village Panchayats have also been directed, by the Director of Panchayats, to cancel these construction licences. The Chief Secretary instructed that this be done within a week.
4. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) assured that Police would be patrolling all sites to ensure that no construction activity is taking place.
5. The Chief Secretary instructed the Director of Panchayats that within one month the Panchayats have to ensure demolition of construction done and restoration of sites. After expiry of one month, if the same has not been done, it would be the responsibility of the Deputy Collectors to carry out the said orders.
6. The Chief Town Planner has been directed to issue a Public notice in this regard.
7. Regarding the Outline Development Plans (ODPs), the Chief Town Planner informed that he has instructed the Planning and Development Authorities to throw open the ODPs for public objections and suggestions, for a period of two months. The Chief Secretary instructed that this been done within a week.

The GBA, however, was of the opinion that the draft Outline Development Plans should be kept in abeyance during this period. However, the Chief Secretary opined that as per the Hon. High Court Order the draft ODPs could be used for granting "provisional" approvals, but with the condition that these approvals would be given at the applicant's risk and cost.

The GBA fervently hopes that the Government of the day will sincerely pursue the course of action to bring this issue to its logical conclusion and look for solutions that will be beneficial to the long term interests of Goa.

Sd/-
Oscar Rebello
Convenor

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