We want a Government in Goa that Governs! The time has come for every Goan to voice their opinion in a strong and clear voice and intensify the struggle to hold the Government of Goa accountable. RP2021 is no where in sight and it serves the Government of Goa to keep us hanging in limbo all these years so that they can take advantage of the deficiencies by not heeding to the voices of the people. It is evident to all that the Government of Goa doesn’t care for Goa nor for the common man in Goa. All that our Ministers, Government officials, TCP, Directorate of Panchayats, Forest Department can think of are devious means to rake in the loot and hoist all sorts of con-schemes to the detriment of the people. What do they care for Goa and Goans! We need to question our elected Representatives whether it's the MLA, the Panchayat members or our Government Officials!
All Goans need to rally together to take this agitation forward before it’s too late. The following news report is from the Times of India. ************************************************************* GBA to agitate from Oct 14 as RP 2021 not released yet TNN, Sep 29, 2010, 02.26am IST PANAJI: Protesting the chief minister`s failed assurances of releasing the Regional Plan 2021 by end-September as promised in the legislative assembly, the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) will launch an agitation from October 14. Announcing this at a press conference on Tuesday, GBA convener Sabina Martins also demanded the notification of a freeze on constructions at 50 FAR in settlement zones till the finalization of RP 2021. The GBA also demanded a notification defining the protection of eco-zones as outlined in the draft RP. The organization has called upon citizens to assemble at Azad Maidan, Panaji, in large numbers at 4.30pm on October 14. The group will thereafter march to the chief minister`s Altinho residence to press for these demands and rally against misgovernance. These plans are, however, tentative and the GBA may decide to lead a march to the chief minister`s Margao residence on the same day. Plans are yet to be finalized, Martins said. `We want a government that governs!`, will be the slogan of the GBA`s campaign, she added. Stating that the GBA and affected groups will start a campaign in villages and towns, calling for awareness and action against such continued abuse, Martins said the GBA will urge people to question their elected representatives. GBA pointed out that although the government had set September as the deadline for the release of the completed RP 2021, it had failed to even publish the two taluka plans (Canacona and Pernem) which were promised in August. It also pointed out that although a committee for review of the Town and Country Planning Act and inclusion of people`s participation was formed, the committee has not met even once. A press release by GBA secretary Reboni Saha stated, "Despite water shortages and power problems, constructions at 80 FAR continues unabated, threatening the quality of life and identity of the people. This is further supported by the new building bylaws. Cases filed in the high court relating to over-construction, water and power shortages—as in the case of Chimbel and Soccoro—have clearly pointed out the problems, yet our government is doing nothing." The GBA complained that large housing projects have emerged in villages with no study on the carrying capacity of roads and infrastructure, leading to problems of garbage, sewage and attendant water problems. Piecemeal changes to the TCP Act will allow backdoor permissions for large projects like the stadium in Tivim, without it being part of the RP, GBA pointed out. The GBA also lamented that the Land Acquisition Act is being used to acquire fertile fields to facilitate projects with no regard to the overall plan, the stakeholders and the actual demography of the place. The organization also alleged that mining continues unchecked in forest land, sidelining the original inhabitants who have lived and nurtured their surroundings for generations. A delay in the implementation of the Tribal Act further allows abuse by the mining industry, the GBA pointed out. "All this relates to the delay in the release of RP 2021. But till the regional plan is released, at least notify a freeze on construction at 50 FAR in settlement zones," Martins said.
