MARGAO: Residents of Margao and Fatorda on Thursday protested outside the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) office against the “hurried” finalisation of the Outline Development Plans (ODPs) of Margao and Ponda.
MMC chairperson, Councillors along with several protesters shouted slogans outside the office. The situation turned serious after the member secretary Ashok Kumar was shifted to a local hospital citing health problems.
Mauvin Godinho has said that the protesters want to make Margao the political capital of ODP.
MLAs Vijai Sardesai, Digambar Kamat and Lavoo Mamledar, besides MMC chairperson Babita Angle, sub committee member Savio Correia and member secretary Ashok Kumar were present for the meeting, which sought more time before finalising the ODP.
The meeting took place without the chairman and the 2 other sub-committee members.
After the meeting, Sardessai said, “The plan of the government to bulldoze into the people of Margao and Ponda has been stopped by us. Most people have demanded more time to understand the plan and file suggestions to the same with regards to the PWD, water supply, sewerage and roads.”
Referring to Mauvin, Vijai said, “This is the Congress scrap, the BJP is trying to import to fill the gap following the exit of Sudin Dhavalikar.” “We have not dumped the plan. We have sought answers to the questions regarding the plan and replies to the same. We have in a way kept the plan open to take the suggestions from the Government departments.”
“A complaint has already been filed with the Election Commission that the ODP is done to collect black money, which will be used against opposition in the upcoming elections,” Vijai informed.
“Only the interested parties have placed objections and suggestions which have been entertained,” Lavoo Mamledar said.
