MARGAO: Citizens have written to the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) with a demand that a presentation on the proposed master plan for Margao be held for the public, and the plan is also uploaded on the website for public viewing.
It may be recalled that citizens had protested this week for not being informed about one presentation that happened at Margao Municipal Council (MMC) and denied permission for another presentation that happened in a hotel in Margao.
In the letter submitted to the GSUDA Member Secretary, Savio Coutinho, Convenor of the Shadow Council for Margao (SCM), pointed out that on Wednesday, two presentations were held in Margao, one at the MMC hall and one at a hotel in the town. “However, it was a shock for the citizens of Margao that, at both the presentation venues, entry was restricted,” said Coutinho.
“The presentation at the MMC building was only for the Councillors and staff of MMC, wherein less than 50 per cent of the councillors attended the presentation, and except for one councillor, all the others present were mute spectators, thereby making it clear that they either have no say or are not bothered about the plan’s details. While the presentation at the hotel was attended by mostly builders and real estate developers. We further realise that the attendees at Nanutel hotel were invited selectively,” he added.
“Further, we wish to state that since the Master Plan so being prepared naturally concerns every citizen of Margao in particular and Goa in general. It was, therefore, necessary for the planners to consult the various stakeholders and collect inputs for the Master Plan, which were sadly not followed,” said Coutinho.
