------------------------------------------------------------------------
* G * O * A * N * E * T **** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANKA SERVICES
For all your Goa-based media needs - Newspapers and Electronic Media
Newspaper Adverts, Press Releases, Press Conferences
www.ankaservices.com
kam...@ankaservices.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attached below is a report by Soter D'Souza of the
Goa People's Assembly held on Jan 23, 2009.
One-line summary: Reject the sham Regional Plan 2021 in toto.
As we said earlier, we plan to continue with more editions
of the Goa People's Assembly.
r
*****
Goa People's Assembly on the Draft Regional Plan 2021
organised by the GGRM
at T. B Cunha Hall at 04.00 p.m. on 23rdJanuary 2009
-The Kerala model of participatory planning was presented by
Mr. Soter D'Souza.
-GGRM Convenor, Mrs. Geraldine Fernandes welcomed the
participants to the peoples' assembly with a brief on the beginning
of GGRM as a movement towards a better and equitable Goa
for all. The moderator for the evening, Mr. Soter D'Souza was
then requested to take forward the sessions.
-Mr. D'Souza stated that the evening was about testimonies
of Gram Sabha members on their experience in the participatory
planning process outlined in the Draft RP 2021 as well as the
difficulties faced by them at the village level. He further
introduced Mr. Abhijeet Dessai who would take the participants
through the process of the Draft RP 2021.
-Mr. Dessai stated that RP through its name is indicative of a
process of planning. He explained that planning in RP referred
to procedures of physical, social and economic planning, through
which there had to be a clear understanding of the present
situation in terms of resources i.e. what is, etc. He outlined
planning in three steps namely a) Data Collection and Analysis
b) Vision Establishment c) Mechanism and processes needed
for the way forward. By RP 2021, he said that the Government
envisages a vision statement till 2021. The two levels of planning
which was stated by Mr. Dessai was top -down and down-top,
the former done by a committee of few members whereas the
latter includes people as central to the planning process. Such a
document on planning was put together by the Task force.
He stated that the origin of regional plans was the constitution
of the TCP Act in 1964 which made way for such plans to be
prepared by the TCP dept. RP 2001 was the first, followed by
RP 2011. RP 2011 was scrapped as it failed for varied reasons,
one being no available data for the people to make informed
decisions.
He stated that in the draft RP 2021 spatial plans which were
generally the last step, were already prepared, which was indicative
of the realities in the process of participation. Further it was
stated in the draft RP 2021 book that the plans incorporated
the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments with participatory
planning, quite contrary to the maps received, as proposals
were already made such as marinas, golf courses, etc; whereas
natural resources, water bodies etc were not shown.
The next caution was with regard to whether the objections,
suggestions will be put forth effectively and adequately, given
the inadequate data and training received by the Gram Sabha
members along with the Village committee. Planning wrongly
done would lead to implications for the future. Mr. Dessai stated
that basic necessities for life like food, water, air, shelter and
environment should be the focus of planning, as this would
ensure a sustainable future for all, not the proposed
developmental projects.
-Mr. Soter then led the participants to the next part of the
sessions where various gram sabha members were to present
their testimonies.
1.Ceasar Fernandes of Colva stated that the draft RP 2021 was
a sham as the most visible and highlighted colour was brown
which indicated settlement. He stated that water bodies were
missing, further there was inadequate data through which effective
verification could be done e.g. road maps, economic surveys, etc.
The elected village committee had objected to work on RP 2021
as there was no basis for analysis and data collection. Further,
a group had gathered to collect and collate information; this
however would not be submitted at the Gram Sabhas. He
said that the only concern of concerned authorities was filling
of the questionnaire which may or may not be binding. He felt
that work on the draft RP should stop and a demand for a
proper planning process should be undertaken.
2.Shanti Fortes of Orlim said that she was happy on hearing
that a new plan was put forth and volunteered in the Village
Committee, but was sad to see the confusion. She questioned
the legality of the forms as also the process of distribution,
which was unclear to the Panchayat body. Information on
proposed road width, village carrying capacity was erroneous
and faulty.
3.Salvador of Sao Jose de Areal stated that till date no technical
committee had come to give them an explanation on the map.
The dates had been postponed 3 times already. Further a
non functional Canal which was built by the Government 20 years
back was not mapped. Railway link, industrial zones and an
additional pipeline were all proposed over existing cultivated
fields even though such projects were opposed in the past.
4.Paul Fernandes of Pilerne spoke about the manner in which
their village committee was constituted. He stated that the
Sarpanch read out 20 names of people who would be in the
committee and ended the Gram Sabha. Technical personnel
of the village were not included. Further, the BDO was also
not present. Only the selected village committee was given
inputs by the TCP technical team. Other Gram Sabha members
were not allowed to attend the same. He questioned that if
this could truly be called a participatory process when the
initial process was undemocratic.
5.Romana Cardozo of Siridao stated that although the maps were
given, no one explained to the people on the interpretation of
the same. The panchayat members themselves stayed away
from the people. She stated that the people would ensure
that no plan would be imposed on them. Since there were
no technical persons to study the map they were clueless
of what the map represented.
6.Damian Telles of Candolim stated that they were not consulted
in planning for the village. Further water bodies were missing.
7.Gabriel Gomes of khandepar, Ponda said that 60 % of forest had been
marked as eco sensitive zone 1. He further stated that through the
traditional wisdom passed from their ancestors the villagers continue to
grow and dependent on farming and related activities. The number of
literate people were also few and they lived mostly in small homes as
joint families. At present NH 4 passes through their village on a 10 mtr
road. Proposals for acquisition were in process for the last 12 years for a
45 mtr road, which failed due to the houses along the road. He stated that
in the draft RP 2021 there was a proposal for an 80 mtr road which would
result in displacing of around 50 ¡V 60 houses. In effect, people would
move into the hills, which could lead to clearing of forests which results
that the 60 % eco sensitive zone 1 forest affected. He also stated that
orchard zones were changed into settlement. Almost all Comunidade
land was shown as orchard and settlement, industrial zones were also
shown.
8.Marshall Pereira of Goa Velha said that people should reject the
RP 2021 and beware of the people who put together the draft RP 2021.
All proposed settlement zones should be rejected. He felt that the
Government imposing settlement was with a hidden agenda benefiting
builders and also would create mundkar land owner rifts. People should
be allowed to ask the panchayat body for change to settlement as and
when needed for houses not buildings. He stated that caution should be
exercised while dealing with some NGOs as they are backbones of
political parties.
9. Dr. Shanbhag of Nuvem stated that from Verna to Navelim an 80 mtr
6 lane National Highway was proposed. The route outlined was over River
sal, the lifeline of the people in the South as well as would lead to 1000's
of displacements leaving people homeless. He stated that the Gram Sabha
Members and Panchayat Body unanimously resolved to opposed the
national highway alignment. He stated that in the RP Book it was stated
that ecological places were identified and measures for conservation
listed. This seemed to contradict the proposals for highways etc put forth
by the planners. Villagers of Telaulim, Verna, Nagoa, Navelim, Nuvem,
etc were together opposing the national highway. He noted that together
the plan could be rejected and a proper process of planning outlined. He
stated that the contradictions in the book and maps were high.
10. Xavier Almeida of Taleigao stated that since Taleigao was passed as an
ODP 2 years back, the KIT had not been given to them. He stated that
there was a one man's rule and fields conversion and roads were
proposed at every place. Since agriculture was the backbone, it is a
sustainable alternative. He also said the 80,000 sq mtrs has been acquired
for police quarters. With no adequate infrastructure there would be huge
pressure on the land and resources. He stated the keeping the ODP
outside the regional plan was a fraud.
11. Fr. Henry of Canaguinim stated that all the above was relevant to his
village. Village committees were also elected in an undemocratic process.
He put forth questions such as who planned and for whom was it
planned. If there were objections in the past to projects why were the
same proposed again. He said that mining of bauxite was proposed on
vast areas of land and 85 % of land was considered illegal. He felt that the
plan did not speak for the widowers, the daily bread earners, destitute
etc. He also questioned the Governments power to label land and it
usuage. There were two different maps at the district and Goa level for
Canaguinim.
12. Dominic Fernandes of Arpora stated that the protest against land filling
led them to ask for cadastral maps depicting pathways and wells. This
was not made available till date. He stated without such information how
can the villagers plan for their village. Baga falls in Arpora as well as
Calangute Panchayat, however it was not mapped hence people of Baga
were confused. He stated that the RP was not in conformation with
ground reality and felt that RP was still a raping plan for 2021. He felt
that the RP should have depicted the contours and topography of the
place especially since that signified the true picture of Goa.
13. Joe of Candolim stated that everyone knew what Goa was and what
it is. He further stated that with a regional plan they have seen the
impact. Further the demand for inclusion of more members of the village
committee was not complied with. Also, since the deadline was February,
the direction the RP would take was questionable.
14. Orlando D'Silva of Carmona stated that he was happy to see that the
movements which begin in Carmona against Raheja's housing project
had grown. He stated that the 400 yr old village of Carmona had a
population of around 3500 people, however in the population projection
for 2021 the draft RP showed it as 4000. Most of the internal 4 mtr roads
were shown as 6 mtr. All of the Carmona land as settlement which was
previously orchard. Land prices had gone up, was becoming inaccessible
for locals to purchase land. He stated that the definition to mega housing
should be redefined by the Government to housing for not more than 10
flats.
15. Joao Philip Pereira of Nagoa that most of the land in Nagoa was taken
for industries. This would be done at a minimal rate and sold at a rate much
higher by the IDC as brokers. There were a number of bore wells dug by
industries leading to which the wells of the villages have gone dry. He
stated that migrant labour had increased the pressure on land and
displaced few locals. Problems of Garbage disposal was faced by the
villagers as most of the area for disposal was acquired by IDC. He stated
that the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 should be challenged in the
Regional Plan to put a check on the Government acquiring land for public
purpose. He stated that the people should take advantage of the fact that
an opportunity to plan has been given to them.
16. Edwin Fonseca of Assagao felt that the basis for preparation of maps and
zones were not shown, settlement zones had been increased. Without
existing infrastructure for the villagers, this should have been stopped.
17. Agnelo Furtado of Chinchinim felt that the Plan of RP 2021 was good
as it was made by reputed people. More than 80 % of the land is marked
under Eco Sensitive Zone 1. He felt that the problem was with the
administration not the plan in itself. He stated that maps were being
given on different scales. Ward maps on a scale of 1:2000 were not given.
He stated that the Gazette changes only indicated the illegal land use
changes which were trying to get legalized.
18. Dilano D'Costa of Dramapur stated that on superimposing the regional
plan o survey maps, many irregularities were found. Further agricultural
land of around 1,00,00 sq mtrs has been shown as a water body for water
sports activities.
19. Atmaji Naik of <> stated that they too were facing similar situations
as the other villages. Their village committee was constituted in 10 mins.
They had overlaid satellite images on the regional plan and many
inaccuracies were seen. Roads of 20 mtr were proposed etc. He felt that
there was lots of misinformation and misguidance. He felt that a united
stand would need to be taken against the RP 2021.
20. David Fernandes of Arpora felt that just as private forests were
demarcated, Comunidade forests should also be noted separately. Major
portions of the forest were shown as orchards. He questioned the basis of
which forests and orchards were labeled, as on ground verification they
were forests. If due to decreased density, the Government should propose
afforestation activities not change zoning into orchard.
21. Pundalik Raikar of Taleigao reiterated Xavier earlier statement. He felt
that since peoples votes are traded so are their rights. He felt the need for
a new political formation. The people will decide and plan for their
village.
22. Fr. Bismark felt that no information or data or maps were provided to
study and understand the draft RP 2021. Resources such as RP2001 and
Gazette Notifications, surface utilisation maps were needed for studies
which were not provided. He felt that people were timeless, resource less
and in no way participating in the RP. He questioned the basis of
constituting the committee and their representatives. Since the process for
planning RP was significant, he felt that there was no clear direction. The
people should keep the larger vision for Goa and its villages while
planning. He also questioned the legality of the resolutions taken on Draft
RP 2021.
23. Anthony G of Orlim stated that River Sal being the lifeline should be
protected. The draft proposed projects which would disrupt the smooth
flow of water etc. further he felt that sewage systems were close to the
wells leading to contamination of drinking water. He stated that we
should protect the life line which is river Sal.
The moderator concluded by stating that the base maps of the draft
RP had not reached the people including necessary technical assistance.
Inadequate mapping of natural resources, water bodies, roads etc
have been seen in villages. Land use changes have already started,
where people with vested interests seek for change against the
larger interests of the people. Lifeline for villagers i.e. water, food
and shelter are being overlooked. He stated that a thorough
research should have been done prior to commencing of the
work of presenting plans. Catchment areas, grazing lands,
traditional use of forest produce are overlooked in the plan.
He stated that together each and every village will need to
strengthen their voices so that they are heard. The people who
are silent equal to party to sale of land etc. A stand would need
to be taken which is loud and clear to the Government.
A press conference would be held at 11.00 a.m. at Institute Piedade
hall on 24th January 2009.
Mr. D'Souza announced that a 2 day residential workshop for women
would be held at Madkai, Peaceful Society on Empowerment of
women in Local Governance on 31st January and 1st February 2009.
The meeting ended with the vote of thanks by Mrs. Kim Miranda.
********
