Team Herald
PANJIM: Days after the BJP-led government opened up the controversial Regional Plan 2021 (RP21), the Congress party said that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the BJP owe an explanation to the people of Goa for keeping the plan in abeyance for six years and fooling the people by promising to scrap it.
The opposition has also demanded a white paper on all the conversions and approvals granted during the last six years.
Addressing media persons, All India Congress Committee secretary Girish Chodankar said, “BJP had promised the people in its 2012 election manifesto that it will scrap the plan and re-draft it taking all stakeholders into consideration within one year. But post that, the plan was kept in abeyance stating it needs correction and now the same plan is kept open again.”
The State government on March 28 opened the RP21 allowing constructions in settlement, commercial areas while prohibiting development in eco-sensitive zones, khazan land, and other restricted areas.
Meanwhile, Congress has extended its support to the people of St Andre and St Cruz constituencies for their protest rally scheduled on March 6, demanding that the Greater Panjim Planning and Development Area (GPPDA) be de-notified. “We are with the people in their protest and demand,” Chodankar said.
