*Goa Bachao Abhiyan* 77, Defence Colony, Alto Porvorim-Goa
[email protected] www.savegoa.com Phone: 8888707083 GBA/2011/048 26 August, 2011 Press Release The Chief Secretary of Goa chaired the second phase of the “Structured Meeting” on Thursday 25th August, together with heads of various Government Departments and the Goa Bachao Abhiyan. This was a follow-up to the structured meeting held on 21 June, 2011, which could not be completed for want of time. The meeting was attended by the Chief Town Planner, Mr. S. T. Puttaraju, and representatives of various departments including forests and mining. The delegation of GBA led by its Convener, Dr. Sabina Martins and Secretary, Reboni Saha. RP2021 status Plans to be released and notified in 45 days according to Shri Putturaju. Government order for 30 day finalized Plan inspection still not issued Chief Sec informed that due to practical difficulties the government was not willing to keep the finalized plans open for 30 days as demanded. The government stated more suggestions cannot be entertained. GBA pointed out to the Chief Secretary that the TCP department had issued an order in October, 2008, to keep the Taluka Plans open for 30 days. Since the order has not been followed while finalizing the five Taluka Plans released so far, the Chief Secretary should initiate steps to see that the department orders are followed for the remaining seven talukas, where the plans are not yet notified. If the plans could not be sent to all the village panchayats due to administrative difficulties, the same could be uploaded on the Government website. The GBA offered to host the plans on its www.savegoa.com website if the TCP Dept. experienced difficulties in uploading the same on the Govt. website as expressed by Mr. Vinod Kumar, the Deputy Town Planner entrusted with this work as the Member-Secretary of all the Taluka Level Committees and now in the RP2021 Cell. The people need to be at least informed as to what the Final Taluka Plan looks like even if their suggestions are not invited before the plan is notified. Major errors could be rectified prior notification. This will also check new inclusions. *It was agreed that a note would be put up by the TCP Dept to the Government to put finalized plans on the website prior notification*. Information on RP inclusions promised at last meeting not yet handed over Solano Dsilva pointed out that since the RP 2021 several licences have been given since the draft RP 2021 was notified. Pre-finalized gazette changes made in the 2001 plans as well as some of the 8500 suggestions have also been considered and incorporated in the 2021 Plan. The information was to handed over at this structured meeting as per assurances by the Chief Secretary, they were yet not ready. *It has been assured yet again – that information would be made available between Monday 29th and 9th September. It was vital to have this information in public domain so people may have a better check on their surroundings.* VP Status and ODP confusion GBA representatives insisted that the VP status of villages that requested for VP3 should have been kept at VP2 and not made VP1 as in some case of Pilerne. *Shri Puttaraju stated that it will be taken note of while finalizing remaining the village plans. * * * Due to the non notification of village status how come permissions are given GBA questioned *Shri Puttaraju stated on 21 June, 2011, that the Panchayat is responsible for permissions in Non PDA ODP areas. VP status for non-PDA ODP villages like Cansaulim would be notified in the next Release.* * * *Proposed Road* It was pointed out that several proposed roads figured in the RP and people’s houses were within these areas. It was stressed that only existing roads should be shown and permissions given based on it. *The CTP stated that even if houses came in the proposed roads they have never been demolished.* Set backs for new constructions are given based on proposed roads. GBA stated that these assurances should be in writing. *VP status for non-PDA ODP villages like Cansaulim would be notified in the next Release.* *Violations continue due to inaction of officials, tabled facts to be acted upon* Cansaulim - Rampant illegalities were taking place in the area violation norms. A specific the High Court judgment in the case of Cansaulim was cited, directing CS, TCP, officials to inspect road widths on the ground before issuing licences. Inaction on this issue has emboldened the Additional Director of Panchayats directing the Sarpanch to issue construction license within 30 days in the same village. This was brought to the attention of the Chief Secretary. Incidentally, no village in Murmugao taluka has been allocated VP status. Corlim - The rampant misrepresentation of road width, both right of way and carpet width, being used to get construction licences was brought to the attention of the Chief Secretary. In one case, one Sadhana Builders was given NOC by the TCP Dept. for the construction of flats adjoining GIDC’s Corlim Industrial Estate on the basis of the temporary road access provided through the Industrial Estate by GIDC for a period of one year. There are High Court rulings on this issue of existing road width and the order in the Cansaulim case [Writ Petition No.843 of 2010] makes it mandatory for the TCP Dept. to physically verify this before granting its NOC for construction. Further, the GIDC has withdrawn its permission to use the road through the Industrial Estate, but the construction continues on the basis of the TCP Dept. NOC and VP’s construction license. The only road servicing this is now an inadequate 4m road, on which no construction would be allowed by law. *The TCP Dept. was directed to peruse the case and revoke the NOC as per rules since the plot has no 6.0metre access as claimed. * Nerul – It was pointed out that the CRZ office, collector has not acted on the complaints of verifying constructions in CRZ area. Police has registered FIR for field filling but no chargesheet filed. Fields are filled for helipad. GBA sought to know how permissions were given.*Chief Sec stated that necessary instructions will be given to CRZ authorities and Collector* Terekhol – A golf course has been planned which has been opposed by the Gram Sabha. Furthermore it is tenanted land and as such cannot be earmarked for a Golf course. *Tenants and the Panchayat will be called to the facilitation center for rectification of this.* * * Verna - Further to this and in contravention to law, despite the PPP Committee having no jurisdiction over a notified Industrial Estate of GIDC, the TCP granted has granted a change of zone based on ‘already developed’ areas, without physically doing a ground check. Retrograde amendments to Sections 16 & 16A for PPP were used to clear this 20 point project in Verna without approved plans with the necessary road width and open space as required by law. *CS as the head of the Committee stated that he will address the issue in the meeting with the committee* * * The change of the outdated TCP Act, committee not acting It was pointed out that the obsolete and anachronistic Goa, Daman & Diu TCP Act, 1975, continues to be in force The TCP Dept. Representatives had informed that the Committee constituted to suggest revision of this Act has met twice and the committee is being revised.The notification changing the persons in the committee have been published in the Official Gazette but the minutes of the two meetings, promised by the TCP official Mr. James, are yet to be made available to the GBA. GBA insisted that the Act be amended by public participation by inviting stake holders for workshops on the same. *Assurance was given by Member Sec that the same would be done in September.* No Minutes/Notes from the last meeting The GBA raised the issue that the “Notes of the meeting” were not made available to GBA by the TCP department even two months and four days after the meeting, whereas the Chief Secretary had assured that they would be issued in three to four days. The Chief Secretary reprimanded Mr.Vinod Kumar, the Deputy Town Planner who was given this responsibility on 21 June, 2011, and told him “keeping the notes in your file is of no use to them” and directed him to issue the same. The meeting was attended by the Convener of GBA, Dr. Sabina Martins, Secretary Reboni Saha, Treasurer Annand Madgavkar, Joint Secretary Miguel Braganza, Core Group members Dr. Claude Alvares and associates including Solano da silva, Francis Rodrigues, Joao Philip Pereira, Zarina da Cunha and others. For Goa Bachao Abhiyan: Reboni Saha Secretary GBA -- Tel: +91-9767701245 Visit www.savegoa.com
