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Goa Bachao’s ultimatum to govt over regional plan

NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Jan 6 As a future course of action to persist with its demand to scrap the Regional Plan 2011, the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) today asked the government to de-notify the 10-year public document by January 15, 2007, failing which a large public meeting would be held at the Lohia Maidan, Margao, on January 16. A meeting of the representatives of various non-government organisations and agencies under the GBA umbrella, met at the T B Cunha hall earlier in the day, to chalk out the future course of action.

The GBA convenor, Dr Oscar Rebello, later addressing a press conference said that the Abhiyan is least amused or distracted by present political development in the state and has not moved from its core demand to scrap the plan in toto. “In spite of the sugarcoated and evasive assurances by the Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh Rane to review the Regional Plan 2011, the Abhiyan still demands that the plan should be de-notified so that the Regional Plan 2001 continues to be in operation,” he added.

After de-notifying the plan, the re-formulation of the Regional Plan 2011 following proper planning procedures with public participation, and having transparency and accountability should be undertaken, Dr Rebello said, pointing out “the Abhiyan is also demanding the legislative changes to be brought in the Town and Country Planning Act by removing arbitrary powers and putting checks and balances so that occurrences such as piecemeal conversions do not occur.”

The Abhiyan also demanded that responsibility and accountability should be fixed on all irregularities in case of the Regional Plan 2011 and immediate positive action taken thereafter. The Abhiyan further demanded that CBI inquiry should be ordered into all the irregularities as regards changes in zoning from December 2005 to August 2006.

Altogether three committees were formed with the former IAS officer, Mr Arvind Bhatikar as the chairman of the Expert Technical Committee, which is going to prepare a roadmap to people’s Regional Plan 2011, with the help of the experts like architect doing so wants to remain a part of the solution,” Dr Rebello added.

The second committee under the chairmanship of Mr Miguel Braganza will co-ordinate the networking with the environmental as well as green groups across the country and globe, while the third group will consist of a flying squad. “The Abhiyan is receiving constant complaints as regards activities like hill- cutting, violation of CRZ rules, etc, and the flying squad will be keeping a watch over them, though the Collector for North Goa, Mr Nikhil Kumar is the nodal officer for the same,” Dr Rebello informed.

In case the government fails to de-notify the Regional Plan 2011 by January 15, 2007, the show of strength would be undertaken on January 16, at Lohia Maidan, Margao, on the Goa Osmitai Day, he said. It was also informed that the Goa Bachao Andolan would support a public meeting at Mapusa, on January 12.

Replying to a question, Dr Rebello said that the credit for the resignation of the Minister for Town and Country Planning, Mr Atanasio Monserrate largely goes to the media, which not only kept the issue alive but also pressurised the government. “With the resignation of the Minister for Town and Country Planning, I guess, our agitation is going forward,” he concluded.

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Goa Bachao’s ultimatum to govt over regional plan

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