PANJIM: Even as anti-PDA protestors have set a deadline of six days to denotify planning areas and the Regional Plan 2021, Town & Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vijai Sardesai is not in a hurry to hold the TCP Board meeting – the final authority to take a call on the contentious issues. The minister has also said that the anti-PDA agitations are an attempt to destabilise the government.
“The magnitude of demands of anti-PDA agitators has gone beyond my domain. We are not in a hurry to hold TCP meeting. The demands are increasing,” he said responding to a media question on the delay in holding TCP meeting.
Sardesai on April 1, while announcing the removal of all the disputed villages from the jurisdiction of Greater Panjim Planning and Development Authority, had stated that final call will be taken by the Board on April 9. However, the meeting was rescheduled as the minister was in Mumbai to attend a conference.
“It is not only one issue they (agitators) are talking about. They are not only talking about planning areas but also about scrapping the TCP Act and the department. Now, that is beyond the domain for which we have been given responsibilities. I have been appointed as minister by the CM. I cannot be disbanding the department, and moreover, this decision is not left to me. The decision is that of the House,” said the visibly angry minister, alleging that agitations are being used to destabilise the government.
“Let us wait for the House to begin the sessions, then we can discuss. Before that we cannot discuss the demand. It is not for me to say something. I can say many things but it will have no value. I can ask for deletion of a village (from the PDA) but I can’t say I will disband the department. I cannot say gram sabha to rule/decide which industry should come, it is a major decision and not in my hands,” he added.
The BJP, on Tuesday, had supported Sardesai in the decisions related to PDA. The party also hit out at the Congress alleging it is behind the agitations. “Congress is behind the agitation against PDAs. BJP supports the decision of its alliance partners and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai,” party general secretary Sadanand Shet Tanawde had said.
Asked to comment on the BJP’s remark, the minister said, “I welcome the statement because the BJP has spoken (on the issue). We are with the BJP. We are an alliance and it reaffirms faith in the alliance.”
