Panchayats cannot revoke approved projects: CM
Herald Reporter
PANJIM, MAY 13 – Literally giving thumbs down to villages
opposing mega housing projects, the government today declared that
if a project has been given permission after clearing all
technical approvals, the panchayat has no authority to revoke the
licence and the government will stand by the project.
Addressing a press conference, after the cabinet meeting, Chief
Minister Digambar Kamat who was also accompanied by Panchayat
Minister Babu Azgaonkar stated that if all rules have been
followed and there have been no misrepresentations on the project
there is no reason for revoking the licence.
“If the rules and procedures are followed, the panchayats have no
right to revoke the licence,” he said adding that “if there are
any grievances they can approach the Director of Panchayat.
“If projects are closed down forcefully, there would be no
development in Goa,” claimed Babu Azgaonkar.
Mr Kamat further said that the projects wrongly approved through
manipulations, misrepresentation then the panchayat can revoke the
licence.
“But if all procedures are followed they have no right to revoke
the licence,” he stated.
Even the State Task Force in its interim report has recommended
reducing the FAR in some villages and asked for development of
infrastructure at coastal belts, Kamat informed.
“There is a need for strengthening the infrastructure in the
coastal belt especially Benaulim and Calangute and we will
continue to do so,” he said.
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Question everything -- Karl Marx
