AT ONE POINT THE NGPDA CHAIRMAN SAID HE WILL DO WHAT HE WANTS & VILLAGE IS ALREADY IN PDA
MAPUSA
The special gram sabha to discuss inclusion of Parra village in Planning Development Authority (PDA) was almost reduced to a monologue with local MLA and NGPDA Chairman, Michael Lobo taking bulk of the time explaining the “benefits” of the PDA, although the drift among the locals was clearly against the move.
NGPDA member secretary, R K Pandita, who was supposed to answer PDA-related queries, was reduced to a spectator, as Lobo in an attempt to firefight, fielded almost all the questions raised by some hostile villagers.
At one point, an angry NGPDA chairman said that he will do what he wants and that Parra was already included in the PDA by the government.
“The plan (to include Parra in PDA) is already passed by the government. If you have any problem go to the government,” said Lobo, visibly annoyed with some of the members who sought clarification.
The special gram sabha witnessed a packed house with locals showing keen interest on the crucial move to include their village in the PDA.
Several locals came forward to seek clarity on the MLA’s plan. “Is PDA more important than the Regional Plan? Why do you want to bring a small village in PDA? You say by including Parra in PDA you will regularize all illegal houses. But you have given permission to 350 illegal structures in the last five years. Is that why you want to bring PDA?” asked Peter Lobo, a resident of Parra.
Countering the NGPDA chairman, former sarpanch, Benedict D’Souza said when a city like Vasco had discarded the ODP, why was the local MLA interested to put Parra in PDA. “Can we have a separate rule book only for Parra?” D’Souza asked challenging the local MLA on his assurances that FAR (floor area ratio) will remain at 60 percent and houses will be regularized in the PDA raj.
Many other locals raised relevant questions and pleaded with the MLA to keep the village out of the planning authority. “You are a good man. When you want to do something you do it. If you want you can get a lot of work done for our village even without including it in the PDA,” a gram sabha member said clearly indicating that the villagers were unhappy with the move. One of the ruling panch members, Chandu Harmalkar, also sought clarification and assurance from the member secretary on illegal houses sprouting in his ward.
With the tempo building up and more locals coming forward to ask questions the NGPDA chairman appeared restless. At this point Sarpanch, Delilah Lobo got up and thanked the locals for attending the gram sabha and abruptly ended the meeting.
Govt cannot ignore pulse of people, says panch member
MAPUSA: Clearly unhappy with the way the local MLA was running roughshod against people’s wishes, panch member Chandu Harmalkar said the government cannot ignore the pulse of the people which was clearly against inclusion of Parra in PDA.
“Panchayat is a body of the people. People have elected us. The panchayat and the people know what is better for the village. Government is not the authority to plan for our village,” Harmalkar said. He said the way the meeting (special gram sabha) was conducted showed that the government was not bothered about the views of the locals.
“They just explained and said we don’t need your consensus,” he said.
On his next move, he said, he will stand by the people and do what the people of the village want. “I am with the people. If the people want PDA, I will be there for them. If people do not want PDA I will stand with them,” Harmalkar said.
Speaking to The Goan after the meeting ended many locals expressed their angst against the move to include Parra in PDA.
“Without taking our consent the plan is already passed. So what was the point to hold the special gram sabha. What are the villagers for? Are we nothing? Are we going to dance to their whims and fancies?” said Mary Jane, a resident of Parra.
“Why do we need PDA? The same rights can be given to our panchayat. There is definitely politics here. We know what is going to happen to our beautiful village,” said another.
A vociferous gram sabha member, Peter Lobo said that he will definitely explore legal options to stop the inclusion of the village in PDA.
“We will approach the High Court and get a stay on inclusion of Parra in PDA which is being implemented by only one MLA and not the villagers,” Lobo said.
