GOA BACHAO ABHIYAN

Sworn elected TCP Minister must abide by the Constitution

Reports of Vishwajit Rane enacting a bill to override citizens recourse to justice through a TCP Amendment are shocking and reminiscent of a coup. We look to 39 other MLAs to abide by the constitution and stop the same, and not be complicit in overthrowing of democracy.

As part of the system he and the legislature are beholden to the principles laid down in Part IV of the Constitution of India while enacting legislation. No individual, department or policy is greater than the same, nor can they seek to take away the recourse to justice for any citizen of India in case of malafide, unfair policies that seek to subjugate the rights of people.

The Supreme Court upholds values of the constitution and we expect the sworn elected minister for Town And Country Planning Vishwajit Rane to abide by the same.

The government follows such obvious bad practice to no good end as has been seen in their effort to jump the queue in the case of the illegal operation of the ODPs of Calangute-Candolim, Arpora-Parra-Nagoa by the TCP Department.

Planning is in public interest and cannot be a tool for self enrichment, therefore must have public scrutiny and participation as a process.
We demand that the government and the TCP Minister include peoples participation in planning and preparation of the Regional Plan as per the 73rd and 74th amendments to the constitution, instead of constantly devising devious methods of avoidance, opacity and subjugation.

Sabina Martins – Convenor Reboni Saha – Secretary