TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Discussions on the Regional Plan led to animated argument between the feisty Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and his now regular sparring partner – Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Referring to the delay in the finalization of the Regional Plan that has been held in abeyance, Sardessai asked the Chief Minister who holds the TCP ministry and as to how permanent was temporary – referring to the CM’s statement in July 2012, when he had said that the holding in abeyance of the notified plan was only “temporary”.
Vijai reminded the Chief Minister that he had said that two exams had to be passed (2001 and 2011) for any plan to be cleared, but took a jibe at Parrikar saying that the “examiners are suspect,” giving him an example of the Aldeia de Goa case.
Vijai also brought up the point of one State one plan call of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (referring to the non inclusion of the ODP in the RP) saying that earlier Parrikar had gone to the GBA and was there when this point was mooted.
Vijai took a pot shot at the Chief Minister saying that he used to meet the GBA earlier while now they are waiting for so long to even get an appointment with him.
To this, Parrikar responded by asking how Vijai knew that GBA members were waiting for an appointment. Sardessai shot back by saying that even Wednesday, he had spoken to the GBA members and they had told him that they were waiting for an appointment with the CM.
