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The visit to New Delhi from 22.11.2005 to 26.11.2005
by Mr Agnelo Oliveira President, of the Santa Cruz
Constituency Citizens Action Commitee Ms Victoria
Fernandes MLA Santa Cruz & Deputy Speaker of the Goa
Legislative Assemmbly, and the undersigned following
the summons recieved by Ms Fernandes from the AICC
General Secretary AICC and Incharge Goa Desk over the
controversial Town & Country Planning Ordinance and
the inclusion of revenue villages in the Planning
Development Authorities planning areas was fruitful at
following the assurance of Ms Sonia Gandhi.
The above could not meet Ms Alva initially, as she was
hospitalised and hence met Mr Ahmed Patel the
political advisor AICC. Mr Patel was briefed on the
implications of the TCP ordinance of 29.9.2005
brought into force at the behest of Mr Atnasio
(Babush) Monseratte after his unsuccessful attempt to
introduce the same on the last date of the Budget
session. This ordinance could change land use and
zoning of any place included in non planning area.
The ordinance was drafted by Advocate Mr Radharao
Gracias as per his own admission.
Further the inclusion of revenue villages in PDAs
would cause undue hardships to traditional villagers
who have to run from pillar to post to get their
construction works cleared, instead of at the
Panchayat level. No doubt there is corruption at all
levels and could be worst at the village and municipal
level but the time consuming excercise and extra
financial strain is the root problem.
Mr Patel spoke to the CM telephonically from Delhi in
our presence and directed Mr Rane to remove the same
if the people are against it, and assured us to pursue
the issue in right earnest.
Later similar meetings were held with Mr Priya Ranjan
Das Munshi Union Minister for Information and
Broadcasting Dr Jaipal Reddy Union Minter for Urban
Development & Culture explaining the factual position
and the disinterest shown by the people in celebrating
IFFI 2005 when the damocles sword of the ordinance
which could change Goa from "Green Goa to Grey Goa"
looms above their heads.
Then on meeting Ms Alva atlast on 24.11.2005 the
delegation was shocked to learn from her that she had
recieved the copy of the controversial ordinance just
two days before our visit. This seemed strange as she
is in charge of the Goa Desk and ought to have the
details considering the agitation is now almost one
month old. It was also strange that she spoke of
constituting the the Select Committee when the Bill
was yet not introduced in the House though the Town &
Country Planning Minister desired to see it through
and cleared on the last date of the month long Budget
session.
If those in charge of Goa affairs belong to such
material one can well realise why the party has not
been able to leash its errant MLAs.
Finally the delegation met Ms Sonia Gandhi Chairperson
of the UPA and the President of the Indian National
Congress Party in Room 25 of Parliament House at 1145
a.m and spoke to her for well nigh fourteen minutes
The meeting with Ms Gandhi was held without any of her
aides and also without Ms Alva. Ms Gandhi was
explained with documentary evidence on how the Bill
was rushed through on the last date,
and that the Council for Social Justice an arm of the
Church had given a clarion call to the people of Goa
to oppose the dangerous portents of the constroversial
ordinance.
Ms Gandhi examined the documents carefully and then
requested for the same for further scrutiny by her and
also discuss the same with Ms Akva and assured that
the matter will be looked into.
However it was clear that Ms Alva appeared to be in
favour of the ordinance for reasons unknown as the
tone and tenor of her discussion was in that
direction.
Ms Alva was also not to pleased to see persons other
than Ms Fernandes and also was keen to see that we did
not get an appointment with Ms Gandhi, as she left for
Mumbai on 25.11.2005. In fact Ms Alva told the
undersigned in clear terms that only Ms Victoria would
be permitted to meet Ms Gandhi, however her wishes
were not fullfilled as Ms Gandhi herself asked for our
presence when informed by Ms Victoria that other
delegates were outside.
Following our successful visit to clear the cobwebs
and misinformation by political leaders who are hand
in glove with the real estate lobby for a chumk of
scarce land in Goa, on arrival it was clear that the
CM had declared that the Cabinet has decided to do
away with the ordinance and according to Mr Ravi Naik
the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Chief the matter is
almost dead.
But what needs to be done is to have another ordinance
to repeal the 29.11.2005 ordinance and also remove all
the revenue villages from PDAs. This Mr Rane has been
dilly dallying on niether has he introduce the
ordinance withdrawing revenue villages from the PDAs
This has angered the agitators.
However it is not clear what the Rane Government has
in mind but clearly it is a victory for the agitating
forces that the Rane Government was forced to act as
per the wishes of the people the several NGOs well
meaning persons etc.
There is also a strong demand that all the post facto
NOCs approvals if any under section 49(6) and 44 of
the TCP Act 1974 should be revoked, forthwith.
Tommorrow the details are being examined and there is
a possibility that information under the Right to
Information Act will be utilised to get the details.
Meanwhile the President of India has referred the
letter given by Ms Fernandes to him while in Goa on
the controversial TCP ordinance to the Chief Secretary
of Goa and Urban Development Ministry Govt of India
for their comments.
In any case the message is loud and clear that the
agitation does not end and may go out of hand if Rane
shows adamancy (as is his normal style in testing the
patience of people ) completing the other formalities
following the Cabinet decision.
Meanwhile the 21st November 2005 massive morcha of
over 6000 people was a pointer to the Rane Government
on the ground support against the ordinance.
The delegation returned from New Delhi late evening on
26.11.2005
GODFREY J I GONSALVES
BORDA MARGAO GOA
9822158584
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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