* GOA BACHAO ABHIYAN* *C/o 77, Defence Colony, Lane 4, Alto Porvorim, Bardez, Goa- 403521*
*Phone: *8888707083*, [email protected]* GBA/2012/10 03 May, 2012 *Press Release* GBA strongly opposes the proposal of the government to bring back the 20+ year old RP 2001, a document known for its vagueness, ignorance of eco sensitive zones and promoting a blanket high 80 FAR across rural Goa. This move is suspect, given that a minority had asked for scrapping RP2021, and especially when part de-notification to appease the affected is possible within the TCP Act without causing trauma to all Goans. This unilateral decision snubs the hard fought demands of the people such as protection of eco-sensitive zones, and lower FAR especially in VP2 areas which go a long way to halting mega projects in villages. GBA states that the government had promised to consult the stake holders but instead has gone ahead taking decisions clearly promoting confusion, the benefits easily being taken advantage of by the builders lobby. The case in point is the construction on the salt pans, an eco sensitive zone in Goa Velha, by Palacio de Goa. Google images of 2009, 2010, 2011 gives a time line of how constructions have come over eco sensitive zones under RP2001 while RP2021 was being deliberately delayed in finalization by the previous govt. The same ploy is being used by the present government, for parties to construct under provisions of the old plan. There are 18 tourism related projects which have given their Expression of Interest (EOI) to the government and was discussed at the high powered committee chaired by the last CM with the present CM also being a member of the committee. These projects by virtue of sheer scale are seeking to be brought in under the Amendment 16A to the TCP Act, which allows easy access and bypassing of people for the PPP model. Some of these companies include Riveira Constructions, Salgaoncar House, Goa Agri group and Manvins Group. The “High Powered Committee” on Tourism Infrastructure under PPP met for the second time on 11.11.11. Most people in Goa do not even know such a HPC existed and whether it will now continue with a new CM and new Leader of the Opposition in it. Many of these projects blatantly disregard eco-sensitive zones and were sought to be brought in outside the RP process. Will they now be included in the new RP2021 as part of the process? GBA demands that the government work on the new plan first, get it approved by the Gram Sabhas and then denotify RP2021 to replace it with the new plan. If serious about protection of eco zones of this fragile state, the government should immediately treat all areas marked as ‘Natural Cover’ yet given ‘Orchard’ status in RP2021, as ‘Forest’ and Eco 1 status, prohibiting opportunistic development in those areas. In the interim period the government must put on hold all the multi dwelling projects and controversial conversions, insertions and allow processing of single dwelling units. Most importantly, as a measure of transparency, the government should spell out the process and Guidelines for corrections in completion of the plan. In not doing so, GBA fails to see how this government will keep its promise of corruption free governance, using confusion and unclear guidelines in development as a tool the same way the earlier government did. Sabina Martins Reboni Saha Convenor Secretary -- Tel: +91-9767701245 Visit www.savegoa.com
