Team Herald
PANJIM: Though the government is not in the mood to listen to the demands of the anti-PDA protestors, the village groups opposing the authorities have decided to wait till their deadline of April 13, to decide on their future course of action.
On April 6 a large number of people from villages across Goa had held a peaceful protest demanding that the Planning and Development Authorities (PDA) and the Outline Development Plans (ODPs) and be denotified, and that the Regional Plan 2021 and amendment to the Town and Country Planning Act be scrapped. The protestors had set a deadline of eight days for the government to fulfill their demands, failing which they had threatened to take to the streets or go on a hunger strike.
As an immediate measure, it is likely that the protestors will approach all 40 MLAs with their demands and seek their support in pressurising TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai to adhere to their demands.
Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) convenor Sabina Martins said that during the recent discussion with groups from various villages, it was decided to reach out to all the MLAs with their demands. “We will seek their support in our fight against PDAs. We also want an amendment to the TCP Act to give more powers to the people and also implementation of the 73rd and 74th Amendment,” she said. GBA will be meeting with the groups to decide how to go about the campaign.
When contacted, Goemkar Against PDAs member Arthuro D’Souza said the deadline set for the government ends on April 13. “We are waiting to see the government’s response. If our demands are not met by April 13, on the next day we will announce our future course of action,” he said refusing to disclose much.
Another member of the group, Rama Kankonkar, too said they will wait for the deadline to lapse before deciding on the next course of action. “We will have to launch a State-wide agitation, as the issue is not restricted to PDAs in Calangute, Candolim, St Cruz, etc but entire Goa, which is covered by RP 21,” he said. He said the government will be responsible for the consequences in near future.
On the other hand, Calangute villagers have launched a signature campaign against the PDA. The campaign launched on Monday, has so far received 5000 signatures across Calangute and Candolim. The same would be extended to Parra, Nagao and Arpora, the new villages included in North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA).
“We have already begun collecting signatures from people who are against PDAs. So far we have collected more than 5000 signatures. People are openly supporting us and we are happy with the response,” Concerned Citizens of Candolim convenor Roshan Mathias said.
