PANJIM: Minister Vijay Sardessai led Goa Forward Party (GFP)
continued its upper hand in the BJP-led coalition government’s functioning,
with party president Dr Renuka Da Silva being appointed as chairman of the
South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA), with party mentor as one
of the member.
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C
hief Town Planner Dr ST Puttaraju on Thursday issued
notification reconstituting the SGPDA which will deal with planning of areas
including Margao and Ponda.
The Authority chaired by Da Silva has Minister for Town and
Country Planning and Fatorda MLA Sardessai, Margao MLA Digamber Kamat and Ponda
MLA Ravi Naik as its members.
After handling over the North Goa Planning Authority (NGPDA)
to BJP- Calangute MLA Michael Lobo as chairman-, Sardessai had demanded that
both SGPDA and Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) be given to
his party. However, there is rift within the coalition partners, as the saffron
party wants to retain MPDA.
“Together let’s make Margao, Fatorda and Ponda a better
place for all Goemkars,” Sardessai tweeted.
BJP Minister and former Congressmen Mauvin Godinho was
heading SGPDA during the last tenure- wherein he was embroiled in major
controversy over passing of Outline Development Plan (ODP) for Margao and
Ponda- the matter which is currently pending before the High Court.
Sardessai and Kamat were at the forefront in opposing the
ODPs.
The other members of the Authority includes Ponda municipal
council chairperson Radhika Nayak, Margao Municipal council chairperson Dr
Babita Prabhudesai, vice-chairperson of Ponda municipal council Shantaram
Kolvekar and Margao councilors Florence Tito Cardoso, Lyndon Pereira and Rupesh
Mahatme.
There are three citizens on the authority- Venkat Desai from
Aquem Margao, Ankit Prabhudesaio from Gogol Margao and Santosh Dessai from
Ponda. Town Planning Officer will be the member secretary
