Church ‘guides the community’: BJP leaders

PANJIM: With the Town & Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai reportedly unhappy over Church’s intervention into the ongoing Planning & Development Authority (PDA) protest, his colleagues are of the opinion that the religious body ‘guides the community.’ 

A few legislators, however, preferred to distance themselves from making any comments on the burning issue. 

BJP’s senior leader Francis D’Souza (Urban Development Minister), Michael Lobo (Deputy Speaker) and Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco are amongst those voicing their support to the Church body. The ruling party has nevertheless opposed the anti-PDA campaign with some even criticising the manner in which the issue has been racked up. 

“The Church has the right to guide the people,” said D’Souza, who was backed by Lobo saying, “The allied bodies of the Church are always guiding the people. This will put everything on record.”

As a massive agitation by PDA protestors is scheduled to take place in Margao, said D’Souza, who questioned the wisdom of the people for taking the government for granted. 

“There is no need for a big agitation. If the people are objecting to PDA in their respective villages, they should approach the village panchayats, hold a gram sabha and take a resolution. Coming on the streets is not the way out to get their demands fulfilled,” he said. The minister also slammed the increasing demand starting with the objection to the Regional Plan followed by scrapping of TCP Act besides the present controversy surrounding the PDA.  

“Agitation per se is not required. Our TCP Minister is a responsible leader,” he added, urging the people or any groups not to politicise the issue. 

Lobo, who is also the Chairman of North Goa PDA, suggested that PDA is meant for the betterment of the community at large as ‘land will be kept for future generation and public utility services will be set up.’ 

The legislator representing Calangute constituency, which is also witnessing opposition from the locals, seemed unfazed with the present situation. “Agitation is always a part…” he added. 

However, Congress legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco took on the government over this issue, reminding Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s then opposition to PDAs. 

“It is a curse on the people of Goa, and I am not saying this. I am reminding CM Parrikar’s previous remark on the plan… In my opinion, villages should be out of PDA. The minister did not take anyone into confidence before taking this decision on PDA,” he said. 

Reacting to Council for Social Justice and Peace backing the villagers in opposing the PDA, he too echoed the view of the BJP leaders that Church guides the people. 

“The Church body has always taken up issues for the people. It always guides, and does not tell people what to do,” he commented, recalling that in 2012 elections, the Church supported BJP because of which the party managed to get Christian votes. 

Meanwhile, Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar has emphasised the need for PDA considering the urbanisation of villages. 

“Certain villages are developing… There is urbanization and for this, we need PDA. There cannot be unplanned development,” he said. 

Asked about CSJP’s intervention into the matter, the Goa Forward Party leader said he had not gone through the former’s statement. 

Minister Mauvin Godinho refused to comment on the overall issue while Congress’ Digambar Kamat declined to comment on the Church. He however opined that on the exclusion of villages (except Taleigao) from the Greater Panjim PDA, government should implement it. 

“Many villages are out of GPPDA based on what the minister announced but the decision should also come into force. I also feel that people are opposing because they don’t want villages to be included in the PDA. Previously, only urban areas were a part of it,” he said. 

In a tweet on Wednesday, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai stated that while he has high regards for the Church, he expects it to mediate to facilitate dialogue to ensure the planned development of Goa. 

In a statement, he said, “Church as an institution should facilitate dialogue and discussion on what we as Goemkars want for our Goem and not only repeat what we don’t want.”

He assured to act if list of politicians, who have illegally converted their lands under RP2021, is given.