PANJIM: Goa Forward’s new – and ‘Greater Panjim’s’ veteran-poster boy Babush Monserrate, will soon receive his gift for joining the Goa Forward and not contesting the Panjim by-election.
All he has to do is to wait until the winter session of the Legislative Assembly concludes to take over as chairman of proposed Greater Panjim Planning and Development Authority (PDA).
Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai is currently travelling out of the country and is expected back next week. “Minister is also currently not in India,” sources said and confirmed that Monserrate is set to take over as chairman of the new PDA.
The TCP Board is also in the process of drafting the minutes of its meeting held on November 23, which had recommended the formation of the Greater Panjim PDA consisting of Taleigao, Bambolim and Kadamba plateau. Once the minutes are approved they will be placed before the government by next week.
“Everything will take place only after the Assembly session,” sources said, adding that the Board decision has to be placed before the Cabinet for approval.
A detailed proposal listing where the office will be situated, the financial implication, etc is still to be worked out. The week-long winter session of the Assembly will begin from December 13.
With the formation of the Greater Panjim PDA, the NGPDA, chaired by BJP MLA Michael Lobo, will be restricted to Panjim, Mapusa and coastal areas of Calangute-Candolim including Arpora and Parra.
The division of NGPDA is basically a thank you gift to Monserrate who joined Goa Forward Party – that is part of the ruling coalition – just ahead of Panjim by-election, extending support to Manohar Parrikar who had contested the by-poll.
Opposition MLAs Tony Fernandes (St Cruz) and Francis Silveria (St Andre) had written to TCP requesting that areas from their constituencies be included in the PDA.
