Pernem Zoning to be held in abeyance till further instructions from central party “leadership”: Rane

PANJIM: Following allegations by Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar and activists that the Pernem Zoning Plan was drafted to benefit real interest lobby, the State government on Monday kept the plan in abeyance.

Addressing a press conference in the city, Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane said, “I had a discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. I also had discussions with former Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte and other sarpanchas of Pernem Taluka as well. Now the Zoning Plan of Pernem stands in abeyance and it is going to be kept in abeyance till further directions and instructions from the party leadership. We will discuss it with the party leadership at an appropriate time and will take it further after taking people into confidence.”

“As of today, the plan is in abeyance. There is not going to be further discussion on the plan from my side. Anything we will do in Pernem, people will be taken into confidence. The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department has been instructed to reach out to the people. We will try to take people into confidence while taking up any development programme,” Rane said.

The Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Pernem Zoning Plan faced stiff opposition in the Pernem taluka with local MGP legislator Jit Arolkar and others activists alleging that the plan had been drafted keeping in the interest benefits of the real estate lobby.

Interestingly, the State government had on October 8 extended the date for suggestions and objections to the controversial plan by another 30 days. The TCP Minister had said that the suggestions and objections will be scrutinised by an expert committee and an international consultant.

Pernem Zoning Plan must be scrapped: Mandrem MLA  

PANJIM/PERNEM: Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar on Tuesday said his firm stand was that the Pernem Zoning Plan must be scrapped, not just put in abeyance.

“My stand is firm. I wanted it to be scrapped. My people wanted to get it scrapped. We do not want it in abeyance as any time they can revive it,” he said

Reacting to the TCP Minister’s remark that he would consult the Centre for Pernem Zoning Plan, Arolkar said, “I don’t know. That is a big question.”

Earlier, addressing a press conference at Mandrem, Arolkar demanded that while taking any development plan, the government must take people into confidence.

“There is a need for development but suggestions of village panchayats from Pernem taluka and people of Pernem, who have been staying here for generations, must be taken into confidence if any kind of development activity is to be started,” he said, while demanding that the plan be scrapped and people of Pernem and Mandrem be given justice.

Arolkar claimed that he was not taken into confidence at any stage of planning of the zone and added that he along with the villagers will meet the Chief Minister again soon with their demand to get the plan scrapped.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Elvis Gomes on Monday said that keeping the controversial Pernem Zoning plan in abeyance cannot be taken at face value as the same has been done to douse public ire in view of the impending Assembly elections in States and the country.

Gomes said that the Zoning plan was threatening the electoral prospects of several BJP leaders from the Taluka, who complained to the party brass and the matter reached the BJP high command leading to intervention of the high command, he said.