PANAJI: Revenue minister and Panaji MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, in an unusual outburst, hit out at his cabinet colleague, TCP minister Vishwajit Rane for indiscriminate land conversion in the state. Monserrate said that he will not allow any development in Panaji on the land which is converted into settlement by Rane without following the due procedure.
The revenue minister said that not only he, but even the other ministers are disturbed with the land conversions in their respective constituencies.
“I am not going to keep quiet. I want to send a clear message to Rane and those who have converted land in Panaji constituency that I won’t allow anything to come up on converted land. The decision has been taken without consulting the local MLAs,” Monserrate told TOI.
He said that planning and development authorities (PDAs) have no role in the planning process. “Rane holds TCP meetings and takes unilateral decisions to convert the land. MLAs should be part of the decision so that in case the conversion creates problem for constituents, then the MLAs should have a voice to object such conversions,” the revenue minister said.
Monserrate said that during a recent meeting of ministers, he and other ministers raised concerns over land conversions.
“Rane was not present at the meeting, but I will raise the issue again whenever Rane is present at a meeting. I won’t allow any land to be converted into settlement. Rane has been converting land left, right and centre,” he said.
The revenue minister said that Rane explained his stand at BJP core committee, but I wasn’t there as I’m not a part of the committee. .“Our ODP is not yet finalised and I will make sure that it is opposed at the Taleigao gram sabha,” Monserrate, who holds a sway in Taleigao, said. “Even the MLAs aren’t aware how much land has been converted in their constituencies.”
He further said, “I came to know from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) when a person came there for necessary permissions. I have directed the CCP not to grant any permission to anyone and they should check first whether the conversion reflects in the earlier development plan.”
Monserrate said that the rampant conversions are taking place under Section 17(2) of the TCP Act. Section 17(2) of the TCP Act empowers the chief town planner to make changes to the Regional Plan 2021 — under the guise of correcting errors — without any public consultation.
