GOENCHO AVAZ COMES TO THE FORE A massive show of strength at Lohia maidan Margao, on 27 April 2018 at 4 p.m sharp set the tone .It is in the unity of splinter groups there in lies hope of fighting in one voice .The crowds poured in from North and South at the call by social justice cell of the Church, though the Church directly did not participate preferring to have a ring side view,. The crowds from all walks of life spilled into the sidewalks with no space even to stand up. The enthusiasm of the participants was writ large and palpable on their faces
The RP21 was deep frozen by Parikar with a promise to act within 100 days. Suddenly in his absence, there is a flurry of action in great haste to foist the RP 21 plan on the people. The back door plan of PDA`s and OPD`s either to achieve stealthily the objectives of RP 21 plan, though it is not promulgated yet or these committees are given undue importance ,leverage to manipulate the system and please the stake holders. One wonders whether the plan has blessings of Parikar. May be there is real apprehension of uncertainty of the life of these present Govt, in the absence of the glue of Parikar The planning of RP is not a co operate efforts of Town planner, Govt. and the people The basic ground realities are still not available with the Govt and plan executed with such a deficit. The senior renowned Town Planner resigned in disgust. The plan as it exists to day was pointed out with presentations that slopes, mountains, water bodies, fields sandunes are designated as settlement zones .There is not even a smattering presence of settlement in areas were lacks of meters are converted,. The interest of builders lobby. Hoteliers, industrialist are dominating the scene with wide roads to accommodate their requirement The employment prospects of locals are in doldrums with influx of exploited cheap labour . Allocation of housing for labour is disturbing pitting them against local recruits This also disturbs the demographic balance, natural resources, affecting the very identity of Goans. The large scale of settlement zones is indirectly motivate by the influence of all parties and politicians for self benefit The vertical growth of concrete jungle makes no sense as 22 % of dwellings are unoccupied, and out of reach of average Goans The youth seek employment outside the state leaving their families at home and Govt belittling the contribution of foreign exchange as a pittance. The river nationalization will freeze large tracts of land on either side or power vested in the authorities to wantonly use it by displacing the residents engaged in traditional occupations The dredging of rivers from ¾ meters to 14 meters and beyond for movements of large ships of coal, as the transportation of ore is dead as a dodo. This scale of dredging will lead to collapsing of the river banks The mountain tops shown as settlement areas will lead to the depletion of water charging aquaducts The RP 21 as it seen must be scrapped in toto as the total emphasis is on settlements, hotels and industry that will have adverse effects on life and identity of Goans. The participants took oath to protect Goa and its ecology and supported the resolution with a candle lights .They have been advised not to be com placement but support the movements by their participation They were also directed to report any illegal activities of builder lobbies immediately to the concerned authorities It is resolved to work for implementation of 73 & 74 Constitutional amendments The bugle is sounded for people power to protest in future agitations against the implementations of RP 21 The participants loudly cheered the speakers showing their support Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
