In a bold display of support for the United Goa Foundation’s letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, the Directorate of Enforcement, Goa TMC Joint Convenor Samil Volvaiker, AITC National Spokesperson Trajano D’Mello, and Youth Coordinator Anthony Peixoto challenged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and demanded that he takes decisive action to drive the UGD’s complaint to its logical conclusion.
Highlighting the alarming consequences of the 17(2) amendment of the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010 Samil Volvaiker said, ‘Goa TMC is deeply concerned about the misuse of the 17/2 amendment, which has resulted in mass land conversions, causing irreversible damage to the scenic beauty of Goa.’ He further added, ‘Despite the BJP government’s claim that the amendment was introduced for correction, It is evident that it has instead become a catalyst for the destruction of our beloved state by allowing large-scale conversions of agricultural land into development zone lands.’
He continued, ‘In a recent press conference, Goa TMC highlighted the alarming conversion of the Morjim plateau, agricultural lands and demanded an inquiry into the land scam worth over 500 crores under the RP 2021 plan according to a tweet by the TCP Minister, Vishwajeet Rane. We stand by the UGD’s demand seeking an investigation into the massive arbitrary and speculative land zoning changes.’ He added, ‘The United Goans Foundation NGO has filed a complaint with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Enforcement Directorate, submitting a detailed report highlighting the conversion of agricultural zones, no development zones, and natural cover zones. The complaint reveals that the amendment introduced by the government is not for correction but for complete destruction.’
In response to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s recent statement regarding the resistance against mass land conversions, Trajano D’Mello strongly criticized him, saying, ‘I challenge the Chief Minister to publicly declare that the NGO, which has filed a complaint supported by factual evidence based on various orders approved by the TCP for land conversion, is mistaken.’ He emphasized, ‘We demand that the Chief Minister ensure that this matter reaches its logical conclusion through the appropriate agencies. If the Chief Minister truly cares about the government’s image, then he should ensure that the agencies to whom this complaint has been addressed provide a definitive response, stating whether the allegations are true or false.’
Holding the BJP-led Government accountable for destroying the state of Goa, D’Mello questioned, ‘Will the benefits derived from corruption be shared among BJP leaders? Or will they attempt to bury the matter, disregarding the truth? Alternatively, will the Chief Minister ensure a thorough investigation that leads to a logical and just conclusion? He added, ‘We firmly urge the Chief Minister to take immediate action and provide a categorical response to the complaint as the facts are now before him.’