On the fifth day of the agita tion demanding the scrap ping of Section 39(A) of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, Chief Minis ter Pramod Sawant visited Azad Maidan on Tuesday in an effort to persuade protesters to call off the stir and urged the St An dre MLA to withdraw his ongoing hunger strike. Accompanied by Water Resources Minister Sub hash Shirodkar, Sawant met the agitators and later told mediapersons, “I have told them, let us discuss the issue in the Assembly and settle the matter at the appropriate forum. I have spoken to them positively about their demands.” Appealing directly to the fasting legislator, the Chief Minister added, “He should consider my request and call off the strike. I am con cerned about his health. I have also spoken to the doctor.” However, the protesters remained firm, making it clear that verbal assur ances would not suffice. They reiterated that their demand from the outset has been the complete re peal of Section 39(A). They called upon the Cabinet to convene immediately and pass a resolution repealing the provision. The villagers further demanded that the Advocate General file an affidavit before the Court stating that all proposals approved under Section 39(A) would be scrapped. They further demanded that the government introduce and pass a Bill in the Assembly formally repealing the amendment. Referring specifically to the St Andre constituency, they said that out of nine proposals cleared under Section 39(A), four have already received approvals, and insisted that both provisional and final approvals be can celled. Warning of escalation, the MLA said his hunger strike will continue until the demands are met Following the stalemate, the Town and Country Minister, Vishwajit Rane, accompanied with Chief Town Planner, Vertika Dagur, were spotted at the Chief Minister’s official residence at Altinho. They were apparently called for an urgent meeting after protesters put forth their demands. Following the stalemate over Section 39(A), Town and Country Plan ning Minister Vishwajit Rane, accompanied by Chief Town Planner Vertika Dagur, were seen at the Chief Minister’s official residence at Altinho, late Tuesday night. Sources said they were called for an urgent meeting after protesters reiterated their demands for the scrapping of the provision and the cancellation of approvals granted under it. Opposition leaders present at the protest site included Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and AAP leader Valmiki Naik. Reacting sharply to the Chief Minister’s appeal, Viegas said, “Whatever the Chief Minister has said is not acceptable. We want 39(A) to be scrapped. How it is to be scrapped has already been explained. This agitation will only intensify.” Earlier in the day, large numbers gathered at the historic Azad Maidan in Panjim, raising slogans and holding placards reading ‘We Want Green Goa’. Women participated in significant numbers, with several daily wage earners and small business owners remaining at the site throughout the day. Melania Anes Almeida, who travelled from Siolim to join the agitation, said, “Forests are being destroyed. Trees are being cut. Agricultural fields are being destroyed. What is the future?” Meanwhile, the agitation gathered momentum in Salcete taluka, where residents accused the government of ignoring public sentiment. “We feel completely betrayed. Decisions affecting our land and future are being taken without genuinely consulting the people. Section 39-A must be scrapped immediately,” said Rodney Fernandes, a resident of Benaulim. Menino D’Souza said, “This is not about party lines. This is about pro tecting Goa’s identity and ensuring that planning laws are not diluted to favour select interests. The agitation must now intensify in Salcete.” Yogesh Naik, a youth from Salcete questioned the government’s position, saying, “We are not against development, but it must be transparent and in the larger public interest. If the government is confident that Section 39-A is beneficial, then why not hold wider consultations and explain it openly to the people?” Echoing the sentiment, Peter Fernandes, a protester, said, “The govern ment cannot afford to underestimate the people’s voice. Salcete has always stood up for its rights. We will not remain silent spectators while decisions that could alter our land and livelihoods are pushed through.
CM’s olive branch fails to break 39A deadlock
