Team Herald
MARGAO: Village panchayats and stakeholders from South Goa are elated that the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane accepted their demands of scrapping the TCP amendments, but are still waiting to see the official order.
“I welcome the TCP Minister’s decision. It is in keeping with true democratic spirit. The Comunidades in Goa had also expressed their reservations on the proposed amendments. I hope the committee headed by Vinayak Bharne will consult public-spirited citizens, NGOs and other stakeholders such as Comunidades before submitting their recommendations,” said Savio Correia, president of Margao and Aquem Comunidades
“Scrapping of 16B cases is exactly what every Goemkar wanted. But this is much more scrapping of TCP amendments from day one people were demanding. This is a victory for every Goemkar who believes in Goemkarponn and wishes to save our beautiful Goem,” said Frank Viegas, panch of Chinchinim Village Panchayat
“If these amendments are really scrapped then it is good for the people of Goa as the villagers were opposing the same. However, we first want to see the order from the TCP as there should be clarity about what’s being done,” said Crosly Lourenco, panch of Varca Village Panchayat.
“In the present scenario, where there is no credible opposition to the government, the scrapping of proposed TCP amendments shows people’s power is supreme in a democracy.
However, I hope it is not a ploy by the minister to save his position in the ongoing power struggle in the Cabinet,” Ramiro Mascarenhas, Loutolim gram sabha member mentioned.
“A conscious decision by the TCP Minister. It’s high time the government realises that the patience of the common man is running out. Goa is and never will be for sale. Hope better sense will prevail when the government thinks of coming out with new policies,” said Rudolf Barretto, Benaulim gram sabha member.
