PERNEM: A mass awakening meeting was held at Mandrem to create awareness amongst the villagers of Pernem taluka on the GIS Draft Land Zoning Plan of Pernem. Though the meeting was mainly for all the village panchayat representatives of Pernem taluka, it was only attended by the representatives of nine panchayat members of Mandrem while none of the representatives of panchayat from Pernem constituency were seen around.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar has issued a stern ultimatum to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, regarding the controversial land zoning plan in Pernem taluka. He warned that if the land zoning is not scrapped, he along with the people would take to the streets to voice their protest. Also present
were political figures including former MLA Parshuram Kotkar, ZP members Satish Shetgaonkar and Ranganath Kalshavkar. Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar stayed away.
Arolkar demanded that the government should prepare a land use plan by taking locals into confidence rather than allowing developers to have a say. He also said that he will meet CM Sawant to submit a memorandum, demanding that the land zoning plan be made with the people’s preferences and the existing one be revoked.
During this meeting, a power point presentation was made during which different aspects of the draft land zoning plan was explained mainly with regards to how almost 1.5 crore sq mtrs of land is converted into settlement.
Meanwhile, all the nine panchayats of Mandrem constituency including Parsem, Tuem, Morjim, Mandrem, Agarwada-Chopdem, Keri-Tiracol, Arambol and Palyem have passed resolutions objecting to the draft land zoning plan and demanded that it be scrapped.
Stating that Pernem taluka is in danger, Mandrem MLA said, “I had to move out because Pernem is on verge of destruction.”
“While the nine panchayats of Mandrem constituency have clarified their decision on this issue, we don’t know what is stopping the panchayats from Pernem constituency to speak out on this issue. We are already struggling for water and electricity and if this plan is implemented, in next 50 years we will have to cry for a single drop of water. It won’t matter even if I am targetted or even complaints are filed against me, but we are going to fight this strongly because if today it’s Pernem taluka tomorrow it will be some other taluka. People of Pernem are being taken for granted once again. Let’s fight this together, MLA Arolkar said.
The MLA also informed that a delegation headed by him will be submitting a memorandum to the chief minister asking to keep the draft land zoning plan in abeyance within 24 hours, send TCP officials to the panchayats to explain the plan, take the locals into confidence and draft a new plan taking suggestions of villagers failing which on coming Sunday, the people will take to the streets.
Former chairperson Vasudev Deshprabhu said that it is difficult for common man to understand the draft plan. Once the land is converted into settlement, it will lead to increase in population which will further give rise to increase in garbage, and sewerage, but has the government planned to tackle these issue. It is time to think over how we can preserve Pernem for our coming future, Deshprabhu said.
Deepak Kalangutkar former ZP member said, “Not just for a month, but for 90 days the plan should be made available in every panchayat as such plans should not be drafted behind closed doors.”
Amit Sawant Mandrem Sarpanch said, “We won’t give up until this plan is re-drafted as per the villagers’ needs and if this existing draft zoning plan is not scrapped then the TCP office of Pernem won’t be functional.”
All suggestions, objections will be addressed by expert committee: CHIEF MINISTER
PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that Pernem land zoning is a draft plan and it is open for public suggestions and objections. Urging the people to submit their suggestions and objections, Sawant said that plan will be finalised after considering suggestions and objections submitted by the people.
Sawant said that he has spoken to Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane in this regard and that the draft land zoning plan would be made available in the office of Pernem municipal council and village panchayats of Pernem taluka.
Stating that he is also on the same page on draft zoning, Rane said that all suggestions and objections will be addressed by the expert committee formed by the TCP Board and that his only role was to oversee the planning process.
