PANJIM: Constituents of St Cruz and St Andre constituencies, under the banner of Goenkars Against PDA (GAP), have demanded a concrete assurance from TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai that the Greater Panjim Planning and Development Authority (GPPDA) will be denotified and have decided to go ahead with the protest on April 6.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, the villagers said that if Sardesai gives a concrete assurance then the protest will be withdrawn.
Rudolf Fernandes said the protest and march to Azad Maidan will be peaceful. “We will peacefully march towards Azad Maidan and will protest against the PDA formation. We will have a meeting with the authorities prior to the protest, we will not be a mob,” he said.
Villagers further said that Sardesai should come to the people and give a concrete assurance that GPPDA will be de-notified then the protest will be withdrawn. “We only want to highlight the issue. We want a concrete assurance from the Minister. If he gives it, then we will withdraw the protest,” villagers said.
The protest will see villagers gathering at Patto Plaza and from there marching towards Azad Maidan, where they will protest.
“Although Sardesai has said he will look into the considerations of the people opposing the formations of the PDA we have received no concrete assurances from the TCP Minister or the government except that the four-member committee have recommended the removal of some villages from the greater PDA,” villagers claims.
The formation of the PDA will usurp the rights of the panchayats, which is unconstitutional and against the interests of the people, villagers said.
“We warn that if any permissions are given, or if any considerations are made by the present PDA, it will be challenged and opposed and so no commitments should be made by the present PDA which has been notified,” further said.
