PANJIM, JAN 30
Goa Bachao Abhiyan continues to ridicule the government over the Regional Plan-2021. Firing a fresh salvo, it maintained that people should know that the State authorities have not followed procedures laid down as per an order issued on October 29, 2008, which stipulated formulation of the State-Level Committee and the Taluka-Level Technical Team.
Referring to order No 29/8/TCP/RP-2021/VPM/08/400 dated 29.10.2008, Convenor GBA Sabina Martins said, “The SLC and the TLTT (one team for each taluka) were formed after the draft RP-21 was notified for public comments. The order outlined the functions and duties of the SLC and the taluka teams.”
Addressing a press conference recently, Martins said while most of the people have heard about the SLC, they were not too sure of the taluka-level technical teams whether the same were operational or not.
As per the order the TLTT was to consist of Town Planner or Deputy Town Planner as the head, followed by technical staff from the departments concerned like TCP, PWD and Health. The other representatives were BDO and one from Goa Institute of Rural Development & Administration (GIRDA).
According to Martins, the job of the SLC was to first explain the revised plan to the technical team formed for a particular taluka. The function of the TLTT was to comprehend the revised plan, keep it open for 30 days so as to initiate a discussion with panchayats and municipalities, she explained.
The order signed by Chief Town Planner Morad Ahmed clearly states the revised plans “shall be displayed at the local bodies for a minimum 30 days”, a demand which GBA, civil society groups and NGOs have been raising time and again. This order does not find mention in the notified final RP-21, asserted Ms Martins.
GBA has now strongly reiterated revised plans of Sattari should be kept open to the public for 30 days. Martins said they were apprehensive because of the mining issue in the taluka. Some of the mining leases there have lapsed, she added.
She said since the Government had not followed the procedure in case of Pernem and Canacona it should take corrective measures by keeping the notified plans of these talukas too open for suggestions.
Ms Martins ridiculed the chief minister for not giving an appointment to the GBA for the last two months to discuss the discrepancies in the RP while at the same time boasting of his accessibility to everyone.
She said the abhiyan will now hold meeting in areas affected by decisions taken without people’s participation.
