Team Herald
PANJIM: A complaint has been filed against South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) Chairman Mauvin Godinho and its secretary Ashok Kumar before the Lokayukta alleging corruption for trying to illegally and hurriedly approve the ODPs (Outline Development Plan) for Margao and Ponda.
The complaint, filed by advocate Aires Rodrigues and Margao resident Jose Maria Miranda, pointed out an act of gross maladministration with vested corruption interest in hurriedly approving the ODPs contrary to law.
The complainants said that Town and Country Planning Act and Rules and procedures have not been followed in preparing the ODP. Despite the objection from three concerned MLAs of the planning areas and the Chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council it was hurriedly tried to pass the ODP on December 15, the complaint states.
It also brought to the notice of Lokayukta that some NGOs and citizens have raised their voice against the illegal procedure being adopted by the chairman and secretary.
The complaint has sought immediate intervention of the Lokayukta in the matter as the SGPDA will meet on December 21 to pass the ODP.
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What’s the hurry, isn’t prevention better than cure?
It’s baffling to see the pace in which the ODP of Margao, Ponda and Fatorda is sought to be passed. What does the election code of conduct have to do with the ODP? The urban bodies which govern Margao, Fatorda and Ponda have all asked for time to study the draft ODP and come up with suggestions. This is a plan for ten years. Can’t it wait for two more months? The ODPs are riddled with conversions of agricultural land to settlement and settlement to commercial. It looks like nothing but a land conversion plan not based on a detailed city development plan, which is mandatory.
The passing of ODPs cannot be allowed to be a political exercise. And here too urban bodies have spoken in unison cutting across political lines. While the MMC is controlled by the opposition, the Ponda Municipal Council is not.
ODPs which are suspicious cannot be notified and the faults then rectified. When you can prevent now, why do you need to cure later.
