TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The Regional Plan 2021 should stem purely from the suggestions given by gram sabhas (village bodies) and there should be moratorium of at least 10 years on conversion of lands after the plan is approved, veteran social activist Medha Patkar said on Thursday.
Addressing media persons in Panjim, Patkar said that RP 21 is a crucial issue for
The activist stressed on the need to make gram sabhas’ inputs as the basis for the plan by incorporating the suggestion and objections raised by the people.
“The plan is for people and not for builders. Hence there is need to have a plan as per people’s wish,” Patkar said adding “the plan should have a proposal of moratorium of at least 10 years on the conversion of lands.”
“At the same time, only five percent of land in each district should be allowed for conversion for government projects. But for real estate, there is need to have people’s approval,” Patkar, who headed iconic Narmada Bachao Abhiyaan suggested.
Patkar informed media that her long pending proposal for scrapping of antiquated Land Acquisition Act, 1894, and its replacement with a National Development Planning law, has been pending with Union government.
“We are confident of bringing the legislation during forthcoming parliament session,” she said.
Patkar under the banner National Alliance of People’s movement (NAPM) Thursday met several NGOs working against controversial RP in the state, where she was informed that large tracts of agricultural lands are been marked as orchards or as settlement.
