Govt accused of adopting double standards on RP, Special status

TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Advisor to the Pilerne Citizens Forum Yatish Naik said by delaying the Regional Plan 2021, while at the same time pledging support to the resolution for Special Status, the government was adopting double standards.
Speaking to Herald, Naik said that the government has clearly gone back on its word of drawing up a new plan.
“When the BJP went about its Jan Sampark Abhiyan it clearly said that it was the will of the gram sabhas that had been the downfall of the previous government. Before the election they promised a new Regional Plan taking all stakeholders into consideration. Further the first speech of the Governor under the new government promised to denotify the plan and draw up a new plan. They have clearly gone back on this,” Naik said.
He said the backtracking of the government was a betrayal.
“A proper Regional Plan 2021 is crucial to saving the identity of the State. Vouching by special status on one side while allowing an improper Regional Plan to be in force is a double standard,” Naik said.
In a written reply in the recently concluded assembly session, the government had said that the plan was not in abeyance nor would it be scrapped but only genuine corrections and rectifications would take place.
“The government is not intending to prepare a new Regional Plan for Goa. However, the task of corrections in the Regional Plan for Goa 2021 will be taken up soon as per procedure prescribed in the Town and Country Planning Act,” a reply by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is also the Town and Country Planning Minister states responding to a question posed by Curtorim legislator Reginaldo Lourenco.