Digambar assures to act against zone violations
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, APRIL 15
Keeping the pressure on Chief Minister Digambar Kamat over issues related to violations, finalization of Regional Plan, protecting eco-sensitive zones, etc seems to have worked to some extent.
At a meeting with Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA), the chief minister assured action on the ground relating to violations in eco-sensitive zones like hill-cutting, filling of fields, etc.
In a press statement issued here, GBA Convenor Dr Sabina Martins said the chief minister has agreed to a structured meeting and has asked TCP Secretary Raajiv Raghuvanshi to call a meeting next week.
On the issue of ODP not adhering to eco-sensitive zones and being part of Regional Plan, CM has instructed Chief Town planner to form a comprehensive development plan. Kamat has also assured that he will call a meeting of TCP Board and give instructions to stop constructions on eco sensitive zones.
On the issue of amendment to TCP Act, the CM has stated that he has formed a Committee headed by Mauvin Godinho. To preserve heritage structures a notification will be issued on recommendation of Committee.
Delegation consisting of Dr Sabina Martins, , Dr Oscar Rebello, Dr Claude Alvares, Fr Maveric, Ms Swati Kerkar, Ms Judith Rebello. Mr Miguel Braganza called on the chief minister and persued the issues raising earlier by GBA.
GBA threatened unrest if their demands were not adhered to.
A memorandum was also submitted to the chief minister GBA and village groups noted that the assurance of the Chief Minister on 27 March, 2010 in the Goa Legislative Assembly is the only tangible progress since 04 March, 2010.
They pointed out that no orders have been issued to the authorities to stop hill cutting on steep slopes and land filling in cultivable paddy fields, water bodies, and mangroves.
Neither have the Taluka Plans of Pernem and Canacona been made public by 31 March, 2010 as committed on 04 March, 2010 as part of the process to keep the public informed about the progress of RP every 15 days.
They also demanded the TCP stop issuance of all N.O.C. and/or permissions for land-filling, hill cutting and development on hill slopes, fields, water bodies and mangroves, including but not limited to those areas demarcated as Eco-Sensitive Zone-1 & 2 in the Draft Regional Plan for Goa 2021 notified in October, 2008.
Permissions given in violation of draft RP2021 guidelines be immediately withdrawn and work on the ground should be physically stopped with the assistance of the District Collector, Police and other authorities as may be needed.
The projects permitted under the amended section 16/16 A of the Goa TCP Act, 1974, should also be held in abeyance till the new legislation is enacted
They also demanded that the Goa TCP Department incorporate forthwith the Village Plans into the Taluka, District and State level Regional Plan 2021 and complete this process by the month of September, 2010. And make it public through a notification in the Official Gazette.
