Karnataka

Task Force report draws criticism

PANAJI: The Goa Bachav Abhiyan (GBA), which had spearheaded an agitation forcing the Government to scrap its State Regional Plan 2011 last year, has opposed the methods employed for bringing out the interim report of the Task Force.

The Task Force headed by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, which comprises experts and non-governmental organisations, has been assigned the task of formulating Goa Regional Plan 2021, a State land use plan.

Co-convener of GBA Sabina Martins said here on Tuesday, “The methods that have been employed for bringing out the interim report go against the very grain of what the GBA stands for.”

The Task Force set up by the Kamat Government recently released its interim report ahead of its final report that is under preparation. The GBA has pointed out that the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution that uphold the supremacy of the Panchayati Raj in State land use planning had not been taken seriously.

“The plan is based on the Town and Country Planning Act which is outdated and needs to be changed to accommodate this crucial aspect,” Ms. Martins said.

She said that the amendment to Section 16 and 16A of the State Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, sought to undermine the very spirit of planning. It was unacceptable to the GBA, she said.

Stating that the ramifications of these shortcomings are “extremely serious and non-negotiable”, the GBA said that it had urged the Government to act upon these issues with immediate effect.

The GBA has also urged the Government to circulate its objections to all the members of the Task Force and sought their response latest by June 3.

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