Finally, the TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane took note of the strong resistance showcased by Mandrem locals and have kept the Pernem Zoning Plan in abeyance. This should be considered Mandrem people’s victory. However, one might also wonder why they showed unity against the proposed plan. When one steps on the tail of a snake, he is bound to defend himself. Similarly, Mandrem locals united to fight a common cause because the zoning plan, if implemented, would have jeopardised their land ownerships. Even a crematorium was shown as a development land in the plan, while some of the roads were shown in an area where houses stand for decades. There were also agricultural lands which were shown as development areas.
In short, the zoning plan was anything but beneficial as per the Mandrem locals. Another important reason why the plan was opposed was because of the possibility of large-scale residential projects which would push the locals aside. This would lead to locals becoming a minority in their own village as the new settlers might dominate the village politics. Locals also demanded to scrap the plan as they did not get to see the plan in detail. In fact Mandrem’s own MLA Jeet Arolkar admitted that he himself never received a copy of the plan. The government had called for suggestions and objections on the plan, however people constantly complained that no copies were made available to them. When the government decides to go public with any plan, they should either publish sufficient copies or upload it on their website. Despite trumpeting the Digital India programme, it indeed surprising that the government did not make a copy of the plan available online. This led to public belief that the government wanted to execute the plan in secrecy. If the government had thought through this then it would not have led to agitations.
The other side of the coin however favors the government. The common complaint ever since Goa’s Liberation has been that the Pernem taluka remained backward compared to other talukas. The taluka was very much disconnected from the rest of the State before Siolim-Chopdem bridge was built across the Chapora river. Therefore, the development projects which came in Tiswadi and Bardez seldom reached Pernem.
the lack of bridges at Siolim and Colvale, the river of development did not flow till Pernem. It’s only after both the bridges were built, did Pernem truly become part of Goa. The taluka started to tap into its potential in terms of development but remained backward compared to the rest of the State. Indeed, people hold politicians responsible for the state of Pernem and they are not entirely wrong. There is no disagreement that Pernem should develop further and the government is working towards it. The international airport at Mopa was part of the development plans which changed the definition of development for the taluka. It was predicted that once the airport becomes operational, Pernem would be overwhelmed with the development related projects and it is now becoming a reality. Hence, Pernem requires a development plan not solely drafted by government but which has participation from the common public. The draft of the zoning plan is not well-researched. Otherwise how a village crematorium would have been marked as a development area? Such flaws and misinformation is what have led to people demanding for the plan to be scrapped. The locals were backed by Mandrem MLA Jeet Arolkar. As a local MLA, it was his duty to stay with his people which he did. Arolkar is part of the government and TCP Minister Rane himself expressed shock over Arolkar’s stand. Arolkar’s own party did not back him but he fought on his own. Arolkar however had strong support from Mandrem locals and the government had to finally take a step back. TCP Minister Rane in a presser announced that the plan has been kept in abeyance. Notably, former MLA Dayanand Sopte was seen seated alongside Rane. Rane in one of his statements said that Mandrem locals can either come to him as a minister or Sopte if they have to clarify anything. Why Sopte? Current MLA of Mandrem is Jeet Arolkar so why should people contact a former MLA over an ongoing issue? Secondly, Rane said that the State government will take the next decision after discussing the matter with the Central government. What is the connection with the Centre here? This is entirely a State matter so why should the State government approach the Centre? The very reason why Goa demanded statehood was the erstwhile union territory lacked autonomy. Then why should the State go the old way?
