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R-Day gift: RP-2011 put to rest

BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JAN 26 — The Goa government today decided to denotify the controversial Regional Plan 2011 with retrospective effect even as several village panchayats across the State passed resolutions demanding the same at gram sabhas on Friday. “Yes, we have decided to revoke the Regional Plan 2011 with effect from August 10, 2006 when it was notified”, the Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane told Herald on Friday morning. He reiterated that the decision has been taken to respect the sentiments of the people.

Asked whether the cabinet had taken such a decision, he said cabinet need not take the decision. “The government has decided so”, he said adding that the notification scrapping the Plan would be issued soon. It was notified by the government and the government can denotify it as well, he said replying to a question whether an amendment would be required to TCP Act for denotifying the Plan.

Asked what will happened to the properties which have been converted as per the RP 2011, chief minister said “we’ll examine the matter”. Sources said more than 2 lakh sq mt land was converted from August 10 (when the Plan was notified) to early November when, responding to a writ petition, the government stopped the process under the new Plan. Besides private parties, even the government projects like the Food Park at Quitol, IT Park, etc would be affected by the latest government decision.

Under RP2011, nearly 7 crore sq mt land was converted from orchards, forest, hills, etc to settlement. Sources said the chief minister didn’t announce the decision in the assembly as it would have given mileage to the BJP who had demanded denotification with retrospective effect.

Interestingly, on Monday when Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA)-led by Dr Oscar Rebello pressed for denotification of RP2011 with retrospective effect, Chief Secretary J P Singh had sought time till January 25. Incidentally, last night the chief minister came down heavily on the BJP in the Goa assembly questioning BJP for its silence for a long time over the RP2011.

He also said that it was the Parrikar government which had drafted and exhibited RP2011. He further alleged that he (Parrikar) had not only failed to guide the young minister (Babush Monserrate) but had even misguided him.

OUR MARGAO REPORTER ADDS: Reacting to the announcement, Goa Bachao Abhiyan joint convenor, Shridhar Kamat said “it is a great victory for the people of Goa on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day”. He pointed out that the government decision has only renewed the freedom of the people that they are the real rulers. “People’s power is supreme. The people made the government to denotify the Plan with retrospective effect without throwing a single stone or violence”, he maintained.

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R-Day gift: RP-2011 put to rest

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