Team Herald
PANJIM: Two-days after Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vijai Sardesai ordered an inquiry into the alleged illegal conversion of land by politicians and religious institutions in the guise of Regional Plan 2021, the five-member expert committee is yet to receive an official complaint regarding the allegations.
The committee comprising Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) member Venancio Fernandes, Institute of Engineers, India (IEI) members Ernesto Moniz and Paresh Gaitonde, Indian Institute of Architects, Goa Chapter chairman Manguesh Prabhugaonkar and Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik, is expected to hold its first meeting in the next one or two days to finalise its scope of work. The committee has to submit its report by June 1.
During its recent public meeting at Lohia Maidan, activists under the banner of ‘Goencho Avaaz, named 14 politicians including the TCP Minister, for having allegedly illegally converted land into settlement and commercial zones. This was followed by a social media campaign exposing how various churches were involved in conversion of over three lakh sq meters of agriculture and orchard land.
“The committee has so far not received any complaint as such. As urged by the Minister, Goencho Avaaz or activists should come forward and submit documents that will help the committee to investigate,” sources said. “The committee will be meeting in the next one-two days,” sources added.
When contacted, the Minister said he has no role in the functioning of the committee. “The committee comprises of experts and I am not part of it. Nor I am going to interfere in the investigation. I request Goencho Avaaz and their leaders to approach this five-member inquiry committee and place all the documents they have with them,” he stated.
However, Goencho Avaaz rejected the appointment of the committee stating it comprises architects and engineers with vested interest for construction and making profit.
