TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The GBA said that the chief minister has deliberately misled the legislators in the Assembly session, stating he received only one letter of communication from GBA, demanding the scrapping of the RP2021.
“This is totally false. The GBA has made its stand clear through at least three letters to the CM’s office, dated March 12, 2012, April 19, 2013, and August 6, 2013, seeking an appointment to discuss the issue of guidelines and rectification of errors, not scrapping. Besides several letters have been sent to the chief town planner on the subject,” GBA alleged, criticizing the CMs announcement in the house.
“Just like previous announcements in the assembly, there are no details, guidelines or notifications to rectify the plan in this latest statement of setting up a house committee.”
On April 9, 2012, the government issued an order stopping all permissions under RP 2021 while on June 4, 2012, a government order announced that it was bringing in the old 2001 plan which had no eco-zones listed.
GBA pointed out that 18 big projects had applied under expression of interest EOI )and it would undo the protection of eco-sensitive zones marked in RP2021 as most were planned on eco-zones. On November 8, 2012 the government issued a gazette notification for ODP correction, and GBA questioned its motive of allowing hurried ‘changes’ to the select ODPs of Panjim, Mapusa, and Taleigao.
On December 9, 2013 as there was no action from the government, the GBA invited all MLAs to attend a presentation on violations and take steps to stop the irreversible damage to the ecology, besides pointing the threat to tourism industry on over-concretization and traffic issues.
GBA to government: Much more than one representation
March 16th 2012 – GBA sent the first letter stating its position and seeking an appointment to discuss the process of rectification of the Regional Plan.
July 2012 – GBA after receiving news of violations, filed complaints/ letters on mangrove cutting, private forest demarcations, arbitrary change in building regulations, changes in ODP with various government authorities.
December 11th 2012 – GBA delegation went to meet CM Parrikar at the Secretariat, which is a public hearing date. However, the chief minister hurriedly left without meeting the delegation.
April 19th 2013 – GBA once again sent a letter to Manohar Parrikar who is the TCP minister stating the concerns of the people and seeking an appointment. Government announced that the RP would be sent to the people in June 2013. However it did not happen and a delegation once again met the chief town planner who promised that the RP would be sent to the people in July 2014.
August 13th 2013 – A joint delegation called upon the CTP Putturaju as the CM had made pronouncement in Assembly of sending the RP to the people.
September 23rd 2013 – A call was made by CMs office late evening, to come the next morning for a meeting. GBA said it needs 24 hours to inform members with a requested for a later date. There was no response thereafter.
In October 2013, GBA brought to the notice of the government various violations like government tender to build an amphitheatre in eco-zone, Terekhol golf course in no development zone despite people’s opposition, a construction on an eco-zone in Candola.
Jan 2014 onwards, violations were documented with supporting evidence and sent to all MLAs and media, covering Calangute, Parra, Goa Velha, Saligao and St. Cruz amongst the others.
July 3rd 2014 – GBA met the chief secretary. On pointing out the ambiguous interpretation of RP and violations, the CS Vijayan directed the delegation to TCP Secretary, Mr Rai.
August 2014 – The chief minister announced forming a house committee. Says he received only one representation from GBA.
