PANJIM: Congress spokesperson Agenlo Fernandes on Saturday accused North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) chairman Michael Lobo and his family of being involved in Rs 500-Rs 600 crore scam in the guise of the outline development plan (ODP).
“That is the reason why ODPs are prepared in such hurry. If ODPs are not finalised, Lobo has to return money to the real estate players,” Fernandes alleged during a press conference.
Earlier he said that the change in zone granting additional floor area ratio (FAR) for his hotel in Candolim was sought as per law and not to benefit from the planning and development area (PDA).
The clarification comes a day after Lobo said that Fernandes was the first applicant from Candolim to seek change of use of land from settlement to commercial.
“My property is not part of no development zone or any illegal encroachment. In 2015, government had issued notification granting additional 20 percent FAR for hotels. Under that rule, following legal opinion, I had applied for change in zone and additional FAR before NGPDA. Everything was legal,” he told media persons on Sunday.
As per records with NGPDA, Fernandes had requested for change in zone from settlement (S2) to commercial (C3) in a property that had a hotel.
“I considered his application as he is my good friend,” Lobo had said adding that the hotel was also regularised by granting additional FAR up to 100 percent.
Replying to this, Fernandes said, “Lobo is not my good friend nor is he my enemy. I don’t know why he often calls me as good friend. We only share good relation,” he added.
