However, in the discussion over the Regional Plan, it was the chief minister who got provoked and forced to take a back step. The duels have been many, but generally there was more noise than any discussion of substance. The chief minister managed to keep things under control, but last week the long pending issue of Regional Plan snowballed into a major discussion between Lourenco and combative Parrikar.
Lourenco wanted to know the timeframe in which the RP is going to be scrapped citing Parrikar’s promises in the first Assembly session. He alleged government’s failure to finalise RP 2012. “Nothing has happened so far in the issue. Government is just making U turn on its own promises and deadlines,” he alleged.
It also wanted to know the time frame in which the plan will be sent to the Gram Sabhas for comments; and whether government’s decision on old settlement areas that were changed to non-settlement areas in the RP 2021.
The chief minister however hit back asking, “I would like to know what assurance I have given.” Refusing to admit anything or acknowledge he challenged the legislator to prove anything mentioning the MLA “has to approach the assurance committee… If any assurance is not done he has to approach the assurance committee.”
The chief minister later said: “We will fulfill all assurances within 5 years” but the heated discussion between the two continued on the floor of the House last week.
“I want to know whether he will put up the notified plan in the panchayats. I want to know this and when exactly do you plan on doing the plan? People are suffering. People are suffering…” Lourenco said.
“What is the suffering? Nobody has told me anything. I have got only one letter from the GBA (Goa Bachao Abhiyan). And they want the plan scrapped… Nobody is suffering. Only those who are builders are suffering. Nobody is suffering,” was the chief minister’s reply. “Those whose land is not converted want the plan opened up….”
He also refused to give any date saying: “I am not obligated to give date. I am refusing to give the date.” In some time, Parrikar said RP will be taken up soon after the mining issue is resolve by September-October.
