…But govt refuses to concede ground on RP21

the goan I network

PANAJI

Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai has said that he would place before the Goa Legislative Assembly the issues being raised about the Regional Plan 2021 because the Assembly is the “right forum.”  

“There’s nothing sacrosanct about any decision, and I will not shy away from taking strong steps that meet the aspirations of the people, provided those discourses happen, in keeping with the highest democratic norms, on the floor of the House by the representatives of the people,” Sardesai said.  

“The Assembly is the right forum not only because it’s appropriate but also where the voice of the people is clearly and most powerfully heard,” Sardesai said.

Sardesai claimed he was sensitive to the voice of the people as expressed through the Goencho Avaaz protests and that he has “approached the issue of RP21 with an objectivity, few others will have.”

This he said was possible because he had “no stake in it”.  

TCP MINISTER ‘IN DEFENCE’

The Assembly is the right forum not only because it’s  appropriate but also where the voice of the people is clearly and most  powerfully heardThere’s nothing sacrosanct about any decision, and I will  not shy away from taking strong steps that meet the aspirations of the  people, provided those discourses happen, in keeping with the highest democratic norms

   I had no part in RP21 creation, in its planning or in its  notification and my involvement is purely in the capacity of a cabinet  minister of the day in charge of TCP, duty bound, without fear or  favour, to implement what’s best for the people and the State of Goa

Congress accepts the gauntlet on RP21, 

says ready to face challenge in House

the goan I network

MARGAO

Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vijai Sardesai’s googly to the opposition that the controversial RP21 issue needs to be discussed and resolved on the floor of the House, saw the Congress leadership accepting the gauntlet, making it clear that party is ready to bat any ball bowled by Sardesai, both within and outside the Legislative Assembly on the issue.   

If the TCP Minister tried to push the ball in the court of the Opposition, especially the Congress, whose MLAs had clamoured for the operationalising the RP21 by moving a cut motion in the House, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Girish Chodankar said the Congress is ready to face any challenge, both within the Assembly and outside, to get the Regional Plan scrapped in tune with the sentiments of the Goan people.   

“If the TCP Minister feels that the Assembly is the right forum to resolve public issues, our party is ready to face the challenge. We are clear that the RP21 should go,” Girish asserted.   

Saying the Congress party election manifesto will form the basis and the guide for the party leaders and MLAs vis-à-vis the stand of the Congress on the RP21, Girish replied in the positive when asked WHAT THE GPCC CHIEF SAYS

If the TCP Minister feels that the Assembly is the right forum to resolve public issues, the party is ready to face the challenge   

The Congress manifesto says it in unambiguous terms that the party will reformulate the RP21 under the provisions of the newly reformed TCP Act   

The Congress party election manifesto will form the basis and the guide for the party leaders and MLAs vis-à-vis the stand of the Congress on the RP21   

FLASHBACK: 

Cong Vision

Document

‘Right to Identity’: “We shall amend the Regional Plan 2021 and reformulate it under the provisions of a newly reformed TCP Act. The newly amended TCP Act shall incorporate mandatory provisions under the 73rd and 74th Amendment, Environment Protection Act and the Heritage Protection Act.”   

‘Right to Good Governance’: “Scrap all PDAs. TCP will provide technical support for planning, execution and monitoring to local bodies.”