GBA threatens stir if RP 2021 not notified TNN, Oct 25, 2010, 05.55am IST
PANAJI: If the Regional Plan 2021 is not notified by the deadline of October 29, the Goa Bachao Abhiyan will launch its statewide agitation by October 31, GBA convenor Sabina Martin told TOI. Martins said the chief minister has neither acknowledged their memorandum nor got back to them on the subject of the notification of the draft RP2021. GBA has therefore met with various village groups to chalk out a plan of action and will launch its agitation across Goa with effect from October 31, she said. "The chief minister has not responded and the people are very angry. We are going from village to village asking for a change in governance and government," Martins said. In a startling disclosure, Martins said Edgar Ribeiro, member of the task force for the Regional Plan 2021, has told the GBA that after the task force members had signed the draft RP2021, someone "fraudulently" inserted a clause in the draft RP saying the existing rules will apply till the time the final RP2021 is notified, Martins said. Martins said that in effect, this means that the RP2001 is now in force. She said the draft RP2021 had two highlights; one is that it protected eco-sensitive zones and the second is the classification of villages for construction development as VP1, VP2 or VP3. Even though the draft was notified, the "fraudulent" insertion of a clause stating that till the RP2021 is finally notified, the existing rules of the RP2001 will apply, made the two highlights of the RP2021 ineffective. Martins said Edgar Ribeiro, on noticing the insertion, brought it to the notice of chief minister Digambar Kamat, but the insertion was not removed. Kamat was the chairman of both, the task force for the draft RP and also the state-level committee. "That is why Edgar Ribeiro resigned from the state-level committee for the regional plan," Martins said. That is also the reason, according to Martins, why constructions are flourishing in eco-sensitive zones. "Construction is coming up in salt pans in Goa Velha. Mangroves have been cut in Naroa. Construction is happening on slopes in Dabolim. And plans are afoot for development in water-logged mangrove areas adjacent to the Zuari river in Cortalim," Martins said. Martins also alleged that a huge and controversial project in Bambolim is going on without files. "They submitted plans for residential purpose, now they have changed to commercial purpose. The development is not happening as per plan. The draft has been notified but has no effect; it is just an academic exercise in planning," Martins said. \ Read more: GBA threatens stir if RP 2021 not notified - The Times of India<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/GBA-threatens-stir-if-RP-2021-not-notified/articleshow/6806765.cms#ixzz13KTAHBjp> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/GBA-threatens-stir-if-RP-2021-not-notified/articleshow/6806765.cms#ixzz13KTAHBjp