TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Singing a different tune ahead of State legislative assembly elections, Congress Party, Friday, announced that the controversial Regional Plan 2021would be taken back to the gram sabhas and the people before freezing it.
In a press note released Friday, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) general secretary Altinho Gomes said that the party has not taken any final decision on the regional plan but would be make sure that it is sent back to gram sabhas.
Gomes statement contradicts those of Chief Minister Digamber Kamat’s and GPCC President Subhash Shirodkar, who had in the past made it clear that the plan would be rectified without referring back to gram sabhas.
They had also said that suggestions and objections of villagers and individuals would be taken into account before rectifying the plan.
Not just this, but Congress’ election manifesto committee convenor Adv Ramakant Khalap had also stressed that the party has already taken a decision by notifying the plan. “The same would be highlighted in our manifesto,” he had stated.
Meanwhile, Gomes has said that mischievous elements have taken Congress Party’s introspection and course correction on RP21 as its non-commitment and nonchalance to solve the issues.
Currently, the hearings are kept on hold following election code of conduct.
General Secretary Gomes was reacting to the demands put forth by the Council of Social Justice and Peace (CSJP). Welcoming the list of demands, Gomes said ‘lot of the concerns that CSJP has raised are our common concerns’.
Making their stand clear on medium of instruction (MoI) issue, Gomes said that party has always believed that parents and not authorities should have the choice to decide the language of instruction for their children and the same would continue.
RP21 and MoI are two major issues, which can play a crucial role in coming election.
