The Town and Country Planning Board has approved the Regional Plan 2011 and also the ODP, after following the procedures on paper. Planning and development , at the expense of civic and social justice have far reaching and dangerous consequences. Is it development or displacement of people who are poor or powerless? Is it because, for example, the likes of organised airline Pilots, SBI and BEST Unions can hold the nation to ransom at will to get more and more? The Naxlite, Bodos, Maoist phenomenon are only some of the consequences. Permanent destruction of ecology , pollution and development, for whom and for what ,are important considerations .Mathany Saldanha has clearly observed that our planning is unrealistic and superfluous and at the whims and fancies of politicians. Plans are based on outdated drawings and census figures. Maps don't encompass even present realities! He also stated that there are no plans describing actual land use for the last 40 years. Transparency in reality is absent . He gave the example of the planned Pato Area being modified to further utlise the open spaces. It is only after people of Soccoro and Salvador do Mundo were moblising against the planned IT park, that the Minister formed an awareness committee and has convened a public meeting to explain the project. The public need to have concrete detailed plans on paper, so that they can check the facts and study the implications to match it with politicians speak! It is reported that Land conversions are banned, but there is a "however" for exceptions and government use.
We must preserve Goa as a natural paradise , avoid demolition derbys, playing with peoples lives, dividing the people to promote vested interests, destroying the land and environment that sustain us. There must be transparency and active involvement of residents, industry and trade. The draft master plan copies must be made available and easily accessible, well in time, with wide publicity, to Municipalities, Panchayats, Central Libraries, resident Welfare Associations, NGOs , any interested citizen! The practice of non implementation with impunity and regularisation once law breakers are in large numbers must strictly be prohibited and attract deterrent consequences.. Seminars for public objections are an eyewash. Procedures must be strictly followed for recording and passing of Minutes. Recording/ Minutes, written objections must have written replies and reasons for rejection/non inclusion made public. Further, a multi member highly professional authority is required to be associated with the draft, deal with conflicting requirements. Minister, general bureaucrat or a judge as "know alls" will not do as they are incapable of conducting discussions of a technical nature. Micro planning at all levels must be in consonance with and merge with the macro planning. This is required in Town and Country Planning and not the "smart" politician and bureaucratic maze leaving loopholes for manipulation and corruption. _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list ([email protected])
