SHWETA KAMAT
shweta@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The ongoing controversy relating to the passing of State Highway 8 through Chandor village has led to a major difference between the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department and its minister Vijai Sardesai, who has given an ultimatum to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for stringent action against the senior officials including the Chief Town Planner (CTP).
Sardesai during his recent meeting with the Chief Minister went to the extent of saying that he would not like to continue in the
department, if it colludes to allow illegalities. He has
demanded removal of CTP Dr S T Puttaraju, citing his favouritism in illegal land conversions.
The minister was irked post revelation that the CTP in a letter to the PWD executive engineer stated that the Highway #8 was notified in the Official Gazette on February 17, 1977 and the same has been shown in the Regional Plan 2021 based on RP 2001.
Sardesai, who is opposed to declaring the road as State Highway, was shocked to learn about the development within.
Speaking to Herald, Sardesai said “I am doubting my Chief Town Planner’s involvement in the illegal developments. I’ve made it very clear to CM that if the department is colluding with those involved in illegal development then I have nothing to do with such department. I cannot continue in this fashion”. He added, “I have told CM that the time has come when we have to take some stringent measures and strong action against the officers to ensure that people’s faith and confidence in our department is restored,” he stated.
If the Chandor issue was not enough, Sardesai came down heavily on the department after CTP failed to submit the detail list of illegal land conversions to the minister by October 1.
The minister during a joint meeting with the Chief Minister last month had directed the CTP to submit the details on illegal land conversions for necessary action.“As of now the department has gone to sleep. CTP has not submitted the report on it, forget about taking action. Somewhere now I am little bit confused whether our department itself is moving slow on it because officials themselves are involved in illegalities,” he stated.
“I just cannot be quiet on this. I cannot allow the department I am handling to promote illegalities,” the minister said.
