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News ArticlesGBA should keep vigil on illegalities: WillyNT Staff Reporter Interestingly, Dr de Souza also clarified that the decision to denotify the controversial Regional Plan 2011 was not taken by the cabinet in its January 18 meeting as reported in some sections of the media. He said the decision was taken at a meeting of the Congress legislature party, which was held about an hour before the cabinet meeting and that the Chief Minister simply informed the cabinet that the Regional Plan 2011would be denotified. There is however nothing amiss in this, Dr de Souza said. Issuing a challenge of sorts to the GBA, he said they should keep an eye on illegalities like hill cutting, filling of fields, CRZ violations and bring these to the notice of the government for action. The real intention of the GBA will be seen now depending on whether they continue their vigil on illegalities or not, he said. When asked why the GBA should do this work, which is the responsibility of the government machinery, he said that the government machinery is small and cannot reach everywhere. When asked about permissions already given for land conversions, Dr de Souza said all illegalities should be looked into. If money has already been spent on projects on these lands, people are likely to go to courts, he said. Dr de Souza also announced that on January 18, the Goa cabinet had unanimously resolved to give adequate representation in the state legislative assembly to the scheduled tribes of Goa. He said the cabinet decision was the first step towards giving proper representation to the STs of Goa and was pending for a long time. The minutes of the cabinet meeting will now be sent to Parliament and the Election Commission of India for final approval. Dr de Souza explained that ST population in Goa comprises 12 per cent of the total population and therefore they deserve four seats in the state legislative assembly. This is a constitutional requirement, he said, adding that presently, there is only one ST seat in Goa. Dr de Souza, however, claimed that the cabinet decision was prompted by a letter from a member of his Nationalist Congress party -- Fatorda councillor, Ms Piedade Noronha. In a letter written on January 16 to the Chief Minister, the former Margao chairperson, who belongs to the ST community, urged Mr Rane to expedite the cabinet decision and fulfil the long-pending demand of the STs of Goa. While congratulating Ms Noronha, Dr de Souza said, he will now pursue the matter in Delhi. |
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