First implement 73rd, 74th Constitutional amendments, then plan, demands GBA

Team Herald

PANJIM: Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) that spearheaded the protest against the controversial Regional Plan in 2006, on Wednesday demanded that no new attempts at regional or local planning should be made until implementation of the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution empowering people’s participation in the planning process.

GBA reiterated its demand to scrap all Planning and Development Authorities (PDAs). GBA recently met with aggrieved groups of Tiswadi and Bardez and alleged that the government is destroying the fabric of Goa and promoting corruption through unconstitutional planning and imposition of unauthorized PDAs. 

Addressing media persons, GBA convenor Sabina Martins said, “The Union government recognised people as partners in planning and amended the Constitution in Article 243G and 243W to clearly lay out methods of participation of both villages and municipalities.”

“The PDAs should have ceased to exist from that date with all planning aligning itself to the Constitutional mandate,” she added. 

Martins said that State governments are to enact constitutional amendments within two years, yet the Goa government still uses an outdated TCP Act of 1974, refusing to accept the amendments even 26 years later. “We demand that appropriate legislations are brought in at State level giving powers to people in the planning process. Or else, we will continue to oppose anti-people planning,” she said. 

GBA general secretary Reboni Saha said that neither GBA nor the people will have any objections to the planning process that will have equal participation of villagers and local bodies. “You enact the Constitutional amendment and see,” she said. She added that no city or village is safe until the enactment of 73rd and 74th amendments. 

Meanwhile, GBA extended its support to the anti-PDA protest called by the villagers from areas that were proposed to be included under the GPPDA called on April 6. With Section 144 being in force in the city, protestors have now decided that instead of a peaceful march they will hold a meeting at Azad maidan. 

“GBA supports the demand of Goenkars against PDAs and exhorts every Goan to stand up for what is rightfully theirs, to demand stake in their future through participative planning,” Martins said. 

Arturo D’Souza of Goenkars Against PDA said the Collector has informed them that the Section 144 is currently in force from Patto area and hence, they have called off their peaceful march from Patto to Azad Maidan. “Hence, we have decided to directly gather at Azad Maidan,” he said.