To Goanet - Scan the names carefully in the news item below from today's Herald. It features the rogue's gallery of Goa's builder mafia which Herald cutely calls "professional bodies." They want their bum pal Digu to clip the powers of the gram sabhas. This is simply another backdoor attempt by the builder's mafia to trample on Goa and the rights of Goans and enrich themselves (all that shit-shat about "holistic economy").
***** http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=9012&cid=2 PANJIM, AUG 26 — In an attempt to find a solution to the massive opposition from all quarters to developmental projects in the State, a delegation of professional bodies today called on Chief Minister Digambar Kamat suggesting an all-party meeting to decide on the economic activity that is required for Goa so as to create employment opportunities. The delegation — Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, CREDAI–Goa, Goa State Industries Association & Institution of Engineers-Goa Local Centre — in their memorandum states, “We are highly disturbed by the tendency of the Government to go on the defensive once there is any agitation against any particular private or public project. All political parties including the ruling party want to be politically correct, and in their efforts to salvage the party interest, they are totally blind to the trauma that entrepreneurs are suffering due to ongoing public outcry against ongoing/forthcoming projects”. Appreciating the concern of citizens and the NGOs for safeguarding environment and ecology of Goa and the demand for improved infrastructure the delegation felt they should not overstretch their argument without taking holistic view of the economy. Emphasising the need for upgrading infrastructure, the memorandum has deplored the tendency to stop all projects in industrial, tourism and housing sector on the ground of inadequate infrastructure. The professional bodies have also requested the government to improve law and order situation in Goa and to ensure the police are not just mute spectators when people take law into their hands. The professional bodies, however, welcomed the constitution of Law Commission and suggested a high-powered committee for administrative and legal reforms. The delegation has urged the Government to take a tough stand on businessmen who do not adhere to laws and are involved in illegal activities. “The Government should take steps to demolish illegal structures not only of unscrupulous sections of industry, but also of individuals who have numerous illegal structures in the NDZ, CRZ and encroached Communidade land”, says the memorandum. The delegation also suggested that the Government take legal opinion and comes out with a clear-cut statement on powers of the gram sabhas. The other demands made by the delegation include finalisation of Regional Plan 2021 and releasing new areas outside eco sensitive zones. The professional bodies also demanded positive initiative to give a boost to industry including tourism and strengthen the transportation network. Professional bodies led by President Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry Nitin Kunkolienker, included Eng. Ernesto Moniz, Arch. Tulio De Souza, Datta Naik, Arch. Brian Soares, Atul Naik, Gautam Rao & Francisco Braganca. ***** r
