The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday accused Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane of dismissing concerns raised by protesters opposing developments under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, after the minister described the Karapur-Sarvan agitation as politically motivated.
AAP Organisation Secretary Prashant Naik criticised Rane’s remarks, calling them “insensitive” to residents who have been protesting against the House of Abhinandan Lodha mega project for about 100 days.
Naik said Rane’s comments were “an insult to Karapurkars who have been protesting against the House of Abhinandan Lodha Mega Project for 100 days and to every Goan who stands against the loss of their lands through Section 39A.”
He also questioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s position on the issue, alleging that the government was avoiding the concerns raised by residents.
“Since the BJP doesn’t want to listen to Goans it is clear they want to sell the state’s land off to the highest bidder,” Naik said.
Reiterating AAP’s stand, Naik said the party would revoke Section 39A within a month if it came to power and cancel permissions granted to mega projects approved under the provision.
“Only AAP can scrap Section 39A,” he said.
The statement came a day after Rane told reporters he was unaware of reports that the Karapur-Sarvan protest had reached Delhi, saying he did not watch television.
“I am not aware of the developments as I don’t watch TV. Everything will be done in accordance with the law,” the TCP minister said.
The BJP government has maintained that actions relating to planning and development proposals are undertaken in accordance with legal provisions.
What is Section 39A?
Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act allows the government to modify regional or outline development plans for specific projects through a special process. The provision has attracted criticism from opposition parties, residents and environmental groups, who argue it can facilitate large-scale land-use changes. The state government has defended its use, saying the provision is exercised within the framework of the law.
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