But gram sabhas barred from discussing it to avoid ‘wrestling matches’
TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar assured the State Legislative Assembly that he would open the Regional Plan 2021 for discussion before the commencement of the next assembly session; but with a limited agenda and that it would not be open to discussion at gram sabhas.
Responding to a question tabled by Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane Friday seeking to know the present status of RP 2021, Parrikar said a government level committee of four to five members will be constituted for this.
“We had to keep the RP 2021 on hold because of the mining crisis. Before the next assembly session, it will be open for discussion but limited agenda will be given to them,” he told the House assuring that all legislators will also be taken into confidence during discussions.
Rane asked the chief minister, whether he was aware the State is without a proper plan for the last 12 years as RP 2011 was discarded. “There is no socio economic plan in the last 10 to 12 years… At panchayats level, after paying Rs 50,000 panchayats give electricity, water connection and even develop roads,” he alleged hinting at bribery at the local level.
“I think many corrections are to be made in the Town and Country Planning Act,” he suggested.
Parrikar replied that RP 2011 with a horizon period of 2011 has been followed till the RP for Goa 2021 was notified. “We are planning to give executive authority to TCP and also to keep accountability on town planning and panchayats…We will give time to discuss the Bill,” he added.
“Regional Plan Goa 2021 is kept on hold and procedure for rectification will be taken up soon,” the chief minister said in the written reply.
Adding to Rane’s observations, Curchorem BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral also alleged that demographic changes have taken place in the State wherein encroachments have happened even on government properties.
To this Parrikar responded by saying that government will put in place Integrated Management System in two months as he agreed that there were encroachments on government lands.
The government is also envisaging another amendment to the TCP Act wherein mutation and partition will be done within 90 days after government acquires the land.
“The plan will not be discussed in gram sabhas because those who want conversions get 10 to 15 people with them and throw chairs creating havoc. We don’t want such situation.” Parrikar said.
No mega housing projects in villages
In another major declaration Parrikar said “Mega housing projects will be stopped…so every village should decide how many houses should come up in the next five years. I want Swiss like model of autonomy.”
He told the Assembly that when Regional Plan 2021 will be discussed, each village should come up with restriction and decide on the number of houses for the next five years.
Citing the havoc at gram sabhas due to desire of some to get land converted by using numbers, Parrikar claimed that every gram sabha is being converted into akhada (a wrestling school)…” he told the House during a discussion on Regional Plan 2021, on Friday.
