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NGOs justify opposition to govt projects

HERALD
APRIL 21,2010
If the government thought that some groups or NGOs make unnecessary and unwarranted noises over “development”, it was mistaken. At a marathon meeting held in the Secretariat, Secretary to the Chief Minister who also doubles up as Secretary (Town & Country Planning, Forest, etc) Raajiv Yadhuvanshi and other bureaucrats were made to realize how well-studied the village groups are when they oppose projects cleared by the government departments like TCP, etc in the villages of Goa.

Armed with necessary documents, circulars of the government, notification copies, committee reports, the Village Groups came even with power point presentations, exposing the government of permitting huge projects disturbing demography and social fabric. The village groups brought to the notice of the bureaucrats and Planners from TCP department how developers have been allowed “to make hay while the sun shines”.

It was also pointed out as to how the illegalities and violations had not been acted upon by the government despite several complaints. Showing documentary proof, some groups displayed how the big talk of conservation of eco-sensitive zones is humbug as they pointed out to constructions allowed in such zones.

Among the bureaucrats present for the deliberations were Director of Panchayats Menino D’Souza, Chief Town Planner Morad Ahmad, Senior Town Planners R Putturaju and Vinod Kumar.

Conducted by Convenor of Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) Dr Sabina Martins, the proceedings had the participation of Ms Swati Kerkar (Kerim Nagrik Samitee, Keri-Ponda), Miguel Braganza (Joint Secretary, GBA), Annand Madgavkar (GBA Treasurer), Architect Hyacinth Pinto, Ms Judith Almeida, Dr Claude Alvares (Director, Goa Foundation), Orlando de Silva (Panch, Carmona), John Philip Pereira, (Voice of Villagers, Verna & WRD Task Force on Borewells), Reuben Sequeira, Carmen Miranda, (Loutolim), Xavier Fernandes (Raikarancho Zagrut Avaz), Durgadas Gaonkar (GAKUVED), Rama Lavu Velip, (GoaMAP, Colomb, Quepem), Prajal Sakhardande (GHAG), Anton Francis Fernandes (Mull Goenkarancho Songhottona, Quelossim), Domingo Pereira (Terekhol Bachao Union, Tiracol), Franky (SEZ Virodhi Manch), amongst the 35 persons who attended the meet.

Apparently, impressed by the well-studied presentation quoting relevant laws and by-laws, Raghuvanshi assured to go through even case pointed out by the participants and get back on the issues raised soon. Issues were raised under three sections: Regional Plan 2021, Amendment to TCP Act and Gross violations.

Besides, the participants highlighted anomalies in the uniform building byelaws, rules on construction of farm houses, misuse of section 16 and 16A etc.

To a query, TCP officials replied that they would go by the plans submitted by the committees constituted on the resolution of gram sabhas.

Participants strongly objected to the committee headed by Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho on TCP Act saying a non-politician neutral, knowledgeable person should head such a panel.
Besides, they demanded that there should be a new TCP Act incorporating 73rd and 74th amendment to the constitution.

Claude Alvares brought to the notice of the officers that 54 violations in the mining areas have been noted by the monitoring committee of Goa government.

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