HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JUNE 12
The Goa Bachao Abhiyan has raised several queries with respect to the Regional Plan (RP) 2021 process in a letter addressed to the chief town planner even as the Town and Country Planning department has said all ODP areas will be part of the regional plan.
When the delegation of GBA called on the Office of the Chief Town Planner on, June 4 2009, Senior Town Planner S. T. Putturaju and Deputy. Town Planner Vinod Kumar, informed them that 115 village plans and five municipal plans had been submitted to the TCP office by the village panchayats/municipalities and the last date for submission of the plans had been extended to June 15 2009 [instead of 15 April, 2009 fixed earlier].
Puttaraju informed that all ODP areas will be part of the regional plan. Even those panchayats falling in ODP areas could submit their plans and suggestions, it was stated.
Putturaju stated that VP status 1, 2,or 3 will be decided as per the questionnaires filled and the gram sabha resolutions thereto. In case of conflicting opinion the status as per forms will be taken.
It was brought to the notice of the TCP that fraud has been alleged in some villages in taking signatures on the questionnaires which would have to be addressed. Secondly public was not informed that in case of conflicting opinions, the forms and not the gram sabha resolution would be considered. This amounts to shifting goal posts while the game is in progress, according to a statement issued by GBA secretary Reboni Saha.
To ensure transparency, it was suggested that all the requests/ suggestions made by individuals and local bodies [that is panchayats and municipalities] will be put up on the government website with a specific assigned number. A remark on the status of request will also be put.
Putturaju indicated that all the village plans will be finalised and then will be put together to make the taluka plans. The GBA sought to know the composition of the taluka committees as well as the methodology it would follow to process the village Plans as recommended by each village as per the directive of the Goa government. The role of the district planning committees, as set up in Goa, in the RP 2021 planning process also needs to be stated.
The taluka committees that have been notified by the State government comprises the deputy town planner,deputy director of Panchayats, BDO, assistant engineer, health officer, and GIRDA representative. Vinod Kumar is the designated Member-Secretary for each and every taluka level technical Team [TLTT]
GBA has demanded that the elected representatives of the panchayat, zilla panchayat and a representative of the village committee on RP 2021 should be members of the Taluka committees to ensure peoples participation in the planning process.
GBA has asked the TCP to make public the methodology that will be followed to make taluka plans as well as to keep open the taluka plans so that villagers know of the modifications, if any, made to their proposals and/or recommendations endorsed by the respective gram sabha and panchayat body, Reboni said.
The GBA delegation also sought to know the time frame in which the RP 2021 would be ready. Before the notification of the final Regional Plan 2021 for Goa , the GBA has demanded in writing several times before that the RP 2021 be kept open for 30 days.
The GBA delegation reiterated this demand. The people of Goa need to know what is going to be the Regional Plan 2021 before it is notified for implementation.
GBA pointed out that since the 73rd and 74th amendment of the Constitution of India incorporated as Article 243, which details the legal frame work for people’s participation, is not yet made to the Goa TCP Act, 1975, now in force with amendments, the people are made to agitate for their participation at each stage of the planning process.
GBA reiterated its demand for incorporating the spirit of Article 243 of the Constitution, and Schedules XI and XII thereto, in the Goa TCP Act and withdrawal of amendments to Section 16 & 16 A, which puts government projects outside the regional plan process.
GBA informed the TCP that the GBA conducted a village planning workshop in one village which made socio economic plans based on which land use was planned..THe RP2021 land use is based on the socio economic plans made by the government and not the people. at the Panchayats The GBA pointed out that though the Directorate of Panchayats had sent the format for socio eco plans to each panchayat,these plans have not been made.The GBA impressed upon the TCP to urge Directorate of Panchayats, make these plans soon so that the socio economic needs of the people get reflected in the RP 2021.GBA is willing to provide assistance in this process.
GBA in its meeting held on June 9 has decided to keep the people informed about the status of RP2021 and organise a village planning workshop for village committees to enable them make socio economic plans.
The TCP will call both the parties and facillitate a settlement in those villages where disputes persist between the village committees on RP 2021 and the panchayat body. The boundary disputes between villages would be sorted out by the respective BDO. In case of some villages some wards pay taxes to one panchayat and has voting rights in a different panchayat.
