RP2011 created awareness about a major problem: Patricia Pinto
PANAJI - The RP2011 was the best thing that could have happened to Goa as it created awareness about a major problem in the state, said ex-councillor and GBA stalwart, Ms Patricia Pinto, citing examples and saying that between 1988 and 2005 (when the regional plan came into effect) there were 2400 changes in land use and people in general were unaware of this.
"If the RP had not awoken the people, then Goa would have been slowly destroyed," she argued, while speaking at the symposium on รข?~Building a Better Goa,' held at Caritas hall, St Inez, on Saturday.
The symposium was organised by the Goa Sudharop Community Development Inc, US in association with the Council for Social Justice and Peace.
Referring to the CM's statement that people should not oppose legally approved projects, she said that it was generally felt that Goa is one of the most corrupt states and licences are easily obtained and asked the CM to check out a upcoming hotel project in the city and another project which is in a designated C1 zone in Ribandar when all the surrounding areas are in settlement zone. She asserted that people are upset due to blatant irregularities visible everywhere.
Another of the speakers, Mr Rajan Parrikar demanded that there should be a freeze on building constructions and argued that not courts but a "wellspring of people's movement was the need of the hour."
He was of the opinion that the people should rise in rebellion to liberate Goa for the second time insisting that they were beyond the stag of debate and discussion and the time now was for action.
Mr Pravin Sabnis likened the motherland to a beautiful deer under the threat from a predator like a cheetah and said that it was the job of the people to take care of it and protect it from harm.
Speaking on mobilizing people's power, he classified people into three types: The first type made things happen, while the second watch as things happen and the third type wondered what happened.
He said that the third type of person could be further divided into indifferent or ignorant.
The indifferent could be part of the problem or shrug and say that it is not our problem.
The ignorant are those who either have no access to information or just don't care.
He said, "Most times people don't care as they feel it does not affect them."
He was also for across the board solidarity, wanted direct contact with village groups and was of the opinion that teamwork was more important than leaders.
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