----- Original Message ----- From: "Srinivas Kamat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 1:00 PM Subject: A Call For Investigation Into Goa State IDC-2
For The Kind Atten. of Mr P Shankar, CVC Dear Mr Shankar, My apologies for my message on the same subject sent you y/day(19th) which because of the 'indiatimes.com' e-mail service provider reached you probably in completely unformatted condition. I am therefore taking the liberty of sending the message again to you as in the attachment which is more convenient to read and handle. I am also sending you a press clipping as given below which outlines the framework of the 'single window clearance' set up by the Goa Govt. for the IFFI. We have been shocked in Goa, and I am sure you will be also, at the scope of the Ordinance enacting this 'single window clearance' facility, particularly for the clause which puts the Committee beyond the ambit of the law of the land. The Ordinance has been enacted when the State Assembly is not is session and thus bypassing any debate on the issue. It has also been enacted in the run up to the Parliamentary elections in this country which are being held to provide democracy to the people of India and here you have a State Govt. led by the BJP, one of the leading members of the NDA at the Centre, enacting dictatorial ordinances without a care for the opinion of the common citizens of the country. Is this the shape of things to come after the current elections in the largest democracy in the world? Mind you there was more than enough time to go through the processes in the normal course since the IFFI being given to Goa as a permanent venue was decided close to 18 months ago. The intent of the corrupt is always to show urgency which gives them the unnecessary umbrella to conduct their nefarious activities and then enact such ordinances so that their actions are beyond question. Are we to sit idly and watch while the State's and by default the country's exchequer is looted. The other point on this is that in India the 'single window clearance' has been put in place to promote certain sectors of industry like IT, biotechnology etc. or even to ensure quicker and streamlined delivery of health care, disaster relief or social services but here in Goa it has been enacted for the first time and that too for a frivolous activity like the film festival and at the cost of providing essential service to the people. We all know that the IFFI is a non-event in the international calendar of film festivals and at the most it will bring in about 30,000 visitors as anticipated which is just 1% of the tourist arrivals Goa got in the last calendar year. For such a miniscule number of visitors and for a non-event and that too for the promotion of films, it is not understood why the Govt. of Goa is bending over backwards to create all this infrastructure at enormous cost to the citizens of Goa who will have to bear its burden for generations. This also speaks of the maturity and decision making ability of the incumbent Govt. in Goa. We therefore seek your kind intervention on a Most Immediate Basis in this matter. Thanking you Yours sincerely Srinivas Kamat 212 Defence Colony, Phase 2 Alto Porvorim Goa 403 521. Phone : 0832 2416430 Mob : 0832 3114150 Email : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ Ordinance for IFFI 'Single-point clearances' No decision can be contested in court .Official decision announced in gazette Sweeping powers have been given to the state government appointed Single Point Clearance Committee to grant permissions for projects related to the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) according to an Ordinance promulgated by the Governor Kidar Nath Sahani. The Goa (Issue of Single-Point Clearance for International Film Festival) Ordinance, 2004 has been promulgated to facilitate speedy implementation of various infrastructural works for IFFI. The same was announced in an official gazette (Series I Number 1) of the Government of Goa, dated April 7, 2004 distributed this evening. For the purpose of issuing clearances for setting up of various projects and other developmental works, the government will constitute as Single Point Clearance Committee. Headed by the Chief Secretary, the committee will consist of Town and Country Planning secretary, Urban Development secretary, Information secretary, Chief Town Planner, Member secretary of North Goa PDA, Chief Conservator of forest, Captain of Ports, Member secretary of Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, Director of Health, Secretary of Goa Pollution Control Board, PWD Chief Engineer, Director Fire Services, Commissioner of Corporation of City of Panaji will be the member secretary of the Committee. Importantly, there is a provision that no civil suit will lie against the single point clearance committee or any decision taken by the committee. Notwithstanding anything contained in any state law, the single point clearance committee will have all the powers which otherwise are vested in the competent authority - like village Panchayat, Municipality, etc. The committee will also exercise powers to change the zone of any area for the purpose of implementation of various projects connected to IFFI which otherwise is vested in the PDA or under the Town and country planning act. It will have powers to grant clearances which will be binding on all the concerned state level statutory bodies. The committee will also have the right to give directions to any government agency for carrying out functions under the ordinance and it will also have powers to inspect, review and monitor any project and its execution. The government by notification will appoint a nodal agency to identify the projects for IFFI and submit proposals before the single point clearance committee for obtaining clearances. Explaining he purpose of the Ordinance, the official gazette said it is aimed to "provide for (the) speedy issuance of various licenses, clearances and certificates required for (the) construction/setting up of various projects, infrastructure facilities, developmental work and upgradation of existing infrastructural facilities connected to (the) International Film Festival of India which is scheduled to be held in the State of Goa" HERALD 15/4/04 page 4 ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
