MLA, p’yat forcing ODP on Calangute: ex-sarpanch

Team Herald 

MAPUSA: Former Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira has said that the local MLA and panchayat members want to implement the outline development plan (ODP) for their personal gain against the wish of the villagers.

Talking to media, Sequeira said, “People of Calangute do not want PDA and ODP in Calangute and after discussing the issue in gram sabha, the previous Calangute panchayat had filed a petition in the court opposing PDA and ODP. However, the panchayat body has withdrawn the petition for the personal interest of its members and now legalising their structures with 100 percent FAR.”

Stating that the PDA has no legal authority to draft the ODP, he said, “The ODP should be drafted and planned by the local panchayat and not the PDA. But since the panchayat is under the control of MLA Michael Lobo who is also the NGPDA chairman, the ODP for Calangute is being drafted by the PDA. Calangute ODP is a scam and Michael Lobo has received Rs 800 crore due to which like other villages, he is not ready to scrap the Calangute ODP.” 

Sequeira alleged that Lobo won the last assembly election from Calangute on the promise of legalising all the houses in Calangute within three months of his election.

“But till date no structure has been legalised other then the structures owned by the MLA and Panch members. Five panch members of Calangute have legalised all their shops and houses in Calangute with 100 percent FAR. But, the houses common villagers have not been legalized yet,” Sequira alleged.  

He further alleged that the Calangute MLA was holding Calangute people for ransom and doing what he wants. “We want that all the structures in Calangute should be legalised with 100 percent FAR otherwise all the structures with 80 percent FAR is enough for Calangute. All the houses should be legalised according to his assurance and people should be provided with sanads,” he demanded.