Goa's ministers and BJP Politicians are at the forefront of taking advantage of the amendments in the TCP Act

Goans react sharply to Ministers and Politicians accused of benefiting from controversial land conversions

Published on:

10 Sep 2024, 10:11 am

PANJIM: In a damning exposé, the Indian Express has stated that two state ministers, one Union Minister, BJP politicians and several real estate companies in Goa have allegedly benefited from the amendments in the Town and Country Planning Act and converted green zones into settlements. The two minister named are TCP Minister himself Vishwajit Rane and Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Union Minister of State Shripad Naik, BJP MLAs Deviya Rane, Pravin Arlekar and Ex BJP supporting MLA Avertano Furtado.

The Indian Express states that the changes to the TCP act such as 17(2) during Vishwajit Rane’s tenure which was to facilitate Goans where there were inadvertent errors in zoning, has been used to benefit non Goan real estate companies and politicians. While Congress and AAP claimed that there was politician-real estate nexus, the BJP said “if there are any violations, strict action would be taken, regardless of who the person is.”

Pic Courtesy: Indian Express

TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane and wife Deviya Rane, directors of Goa based Karapur Estates got clearance to convert 11,580 sq metres land in Sarvona, 515 sq m from cultivable land to settlement in Karapur in Bicholim taluka

Goans react sharply to Ministers and Politicians accused of benefiting from controversial land conversions

Reacting to the Indian Express exposé Activist Swapnesh Sherlekar said,

You will understand in details how the bartering of land in going on and how the ministers are sitting there are brokers. The changing of guidelines and rules for self-benefit, which they claim to abide by, you will see clearly. We have to give credit to Indian express and its reporters

Swapnesh Sherlekar , RTI Activist

Pic Courtesy: Indian Express

Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira rezoned 3,817 square metre of a property to a settlement in Nuvem. A firm of which he is a managing director got converted 1,575 sq m of orchard land to settlement in Colva, Indian Express said

BJP’s Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar got corrected 8,775 square metres and 2,625 square metres of paddy field with irrigation command area to settlement in Guirim, Bardez Taluka.

The Indian Express article has in one go brought out the entire destruction which is going on by those in power. These illegal constructions have not only destroyed the landscape, but has created a death trap for Goans. You would have seen the landslides that have happened this time, because of hill cutting that is taking place. This large scale destruction is going to take the lives of Goans

Dr. Sabina Martins, Goa Bachao Abhiyan

Pic Courtesy: Indian Express

The third minister to be named in Union Minister Shripad Naik who got rezoned 14,225 square metres of orchard and natural cover to settlement in Panelim village, Tiswadi Taluka, Indian Express said.

Pic Courtesy: Indian Express

Former Navelim MLA, who supported the BJP Avertano Furtado got approval for "rectification" of 8,650 square metres from paddy field with irrigation command area to settlement in Navelim, Salcete Taluka. ,

Pic Courtesy: Indian Express

“ There has to be a complete exposé which will help Goans to know exactly how the ruling dispensation is taking Goans for a ride and bleeding Goa’s environment and beauty. That the chief secretary is involved gives you a shattering scenario. Let’s hope something happens and the chief minister who is just trying to push the buck here and there, at least during the reshuffle of the cabinet. Change the minister, Change the portfolios and keep control on the administration.”

Trajano D’Mello, Political Analyst

Besides this Indian Express has stated that at least 65 people or firms associated with real estate, housing, construction, hospitality and hotels, including many from outside Goa have benefitted from the TCP amendment. When asked for their reactions the above named politicians have said the conversion is as per law and that there was erroneous zoning.

“They are all from BJP, affiliated to BJP or supported BJP. Vishwajit resigned from the Congress and went to the BJP, because he knew that BJP is the breeding ground to do all this corruption, which he had planned in advance. This was his vision. I can understand these lands can be converted for a good cause such as a hospital or a library. But their design is to build big housing complexes, fill Goa with outsiders and destruction of the sanctity of Goa.”

Anthony D’Silva, Activist