Goa MLA Calls for Statewide Revocation of Land Conversion Approvals Under Section 39A
In a significant development, St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar has demanded that the Goa government revoke all land conversion approvals issued under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act. This call comes in the wake of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's recent decision to cancel the conversion approval for an 80,000 square meter plot within his own constituency.
MLA Urges Legislators to Pressure Government
Borkar, who represents the Revolutionary Goans party, has urged all Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to formally write to the government and the chief minister, requesting the immediate revocation of these permissions. "With the CM stopping the land conversion in his own constituency, the same way, across Goa, a lot of valleys, orchard land, paddy fields, no-development slopes have been converted under Section 39A," Borkar stated emphatically.
He emphasized that this is not an isolated issue but a widespread problem affecting ecologically sensitive areas throughout the state. The MLA believes that Sawant's action sets a crucial precedent that should be extended statewide to protect Goa's natural landscape from unauthorized development.
Allegations Against TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane
Borkar further alleged that Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane failed to consult Chief Minister Sawant while issuing permissions for change of zone under Section 39A in Sanquelim. "It seems clear that the minister is not taking the chief minister into confidence and the TCP board is doing whatever it wants," Borkar claimed, suggesting a lack of coordination within the government.
This accusation points to potential internal disagreements within the administration regarding land use policies and approvals. Borkar's statements highlight concerns about transparency and due process in the TCP department's decision-making.
Push to Scrap Section 39A Entirely
Beyond immediate revocations, Borkar advocated for more drastic measures. He declared that all legislators should collectively force the government to scrap Section 39A of the TCP Act altogether. "People should put pressure on their legislators," he added, calling for public involvement to drive this legislative change.
This push to eliminate the section entirely indicates a broader critique of the legal framework that permits such conversions. Borkar's campaign reflects growing environmental and regulatory concerns in Goa, where land use remains a contentious and politically charged issue.
The MLA's demands underscore a critical moment for Goa's land management policies, potentially setting the stage for significant legal and administrative reforms in the coming months.
