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GBA Press Releases

Charter of demands - Press Handout

GBA, Panaji, Feb 22, 2007: Todays press conference has been called by the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) to highlight the irregularities that are being committed by the Planning and Development Authorities and the Town and Country Planning Department, in preparation of the Outline Development Plans (ODPs) and approval of projects under the old ODP in the areas withdrawn from the jurisdiction of the PDAs.

Members of the GBA visited the office of the North Goa Planning and Development Authority on Monday 19th February, 2007,, to photograph the copies of the draft ODPs of Panaji and Mapusa that were on public display in the Office of the NGPDA and subsequently had a meeting with the Member Secretary, Mr. Rajesh Naik in his office.

In a startling revelation the Member Secretary confirmed that based on instructions from the Chief Town Planner, the draft ODPs of Panjim and Mapusa were adopted and projects have been approved based on the draft ODPs.

The Chief Town Planner when contacted in his chamber, informed the GBA members that the ODPs of Panjim, Mapusa, Ponda, Margao and Mormugao have been put into operation based on the noting made by the Town and Country Planning Minister on 8th September, 2006 which read as follows:

“The Outline Development Plan duly notified under Section 35 of the TCP Act shall be adopted and put into operation by the respective PDAs”.


IRREGULARITIES WITH RESPECT TO SECTIONS 36 AND 37

Putting into operation draft ODPs that were published under Section 35 for objections from the public on 7th September, 2006, based on the instructions from the Minister one day later on 8th September, 2006, means that the entire process of preparation, inspection and inviting objections from the public,, appointment of a sub-committee to consider the objections received, hearing of persons who submitted their objections by the sub-committee,, preparation of report of the sub-committee, approval by the Government, and bringing into operation the Development Plan, as per Sections 35, 36 and 37 has been reduced to a “farce” by the Town and Country Planning Department and is blatantly illegal.


IRREGULARITIES WITH RESPECT TO SECTION 29.

Moreover, as per Chapter VI of the Town and Country Planning Act which deals with Preparation of Development Plans, Section 29 requires that every Planning and Development Authority shall prepare an Outline Development Plan for the planning area within its jurisdiction AFTER CONSULTATIONS with the concerned local Authority or Authorities.

No Local Bodies have been consulted by the PDAs while preparing the ODPs for 6 planning areas (including Taleigao/Durgawadi) , which means that the PDAs have chosen to ignore this important primary section of the Act for reasons best known to them. Ignoring the local bodies implies also that the PDAs in their infinite wisdom have even chosen to ignore the 73rd and 74th Amendment to the Constitution of India.

It is pertinent to note that the GBA vide its letter dated 24.1.2007 had written to the Chief Minister of Goa who is also the Town and Country Planning Minister,as well as to the Chief Secretary, Secretary (Town and Country Planning) and Chief Town Planner, not to approve the ODPs since they have ignored this very first clause in preparation of the ODPs which is, involving the local bodies in the planning process. The GBA however was not aware at this point of time that the ODPs were illegally adopted and were being operated at the draft stage itself, nor was any reply received to our letter.

The Goa Bachao Abhiyan, terming the draft ODPs of Panjim, Mapusa, Ponda, Margao, Mormugao which have been adopted as per the instructions of the Hon. Minister for Town and Country Planning w.e.f. 8.9.2006, as well as the ODP for Taleigao area which has been finally notified on 3.2.2006 but adopted in its draft stage with effect from 17.10.2005, as illegal, have demanded today in its Charter of Demands made to the Hon. Chief Minister of Goa through the Chief Secretary that the same be revoked.

In another shocking revelation, it has come to the notice of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan that though the planning areas of various villages had been withdrawn from the jurisdiction of the Planning and Development Authorities with effect from 3.1.2006, the Town and Country Planning department continues to approve projects falling in these village areas as per the old ODP of Panjim dated 11.1.1990. which should otherwise fall under the Regional Plan. This is illegal and the GBA has demanded that all approvals and permissions granted to various projects as per the ODP dated 11.1.1990 after 3.1.2006 should be revoked.

The present planning process adopted by the Planners is tainted and it is most shocking that the people are being taken for a ride by the Town and Country Planning Authorities, obviously to suit vested interests. The GBA wishes to send a strong message to the Town and Country Department and the PDAs that it will not tolerate the subversion of the laws of the land and demand an enquiry by the Government into the working of the Town and Country Planning department and the PDAs with respect to the preparation of the ODPs and approvals being carried out in areas not falling under the Planning areas.

Dr. Oscar Rebello
Convenor and Spokesperson.