PANJIM: Admitting that much time has been wasted in implementing the Regional Plan 2021, Deputy Chief Minister and Town and Country Planning Minister Francis D’Souza on Saturday said it may take another one or two years to finalise the plan, and therefore it could be extended till 2025 (RP 2025).
Speaking to media persons Saturday afternoon, D’Souza said that the process for finalization and implementation of the Regional Plan will begin from January next year. “We will seek suggestions from stakeholders. Since all are now busy with Christmas celebration, including myself, the process will start in January,” he said adding that government will settle the RP issue in toto before the BJP-led government’s tenure ends in 2017.
D’Souza said that the implementation of the plan – RP 21, notified in 2012, has dragged on for the last two years and it is likely to go on for at least one to two years maximum. Hence, it would be wise to make the plan effective till 2025, he said, adding the final decision would be taken only after consulting government and other stakeholders.
“This is my view, but it would not be imposed on anyone,” he added. A special meeting on Regional Plan is scheduled on Sunday between Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and D’Souza, wherein the modalities would be worked out for implementation of the plan.
Even after more than two and half years in power, the BJP-led government failed to tackle the Regional Plan 2021 imbroglio in Goa, and faced severe criticism from various sections of society.
D’Souza said that he is been briefed by the Town and Country Planning officials that of the total 189 village panchayats, 15 VPs have raised strong and severe objections to the plan. “That means 174 VP have no objections. So, we need not have to put the plan before the public entirely,” he stated.
Apart from this, another 3,500 objections and suggestions have been received by the TCP, which would be accommodated and placed before government for consideration.
