Highlighting the destructive and detrimental nature of the proposed TCP Amendments, Goa TMC today strongly condemned the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government for its blatant disregard of Goa’s environment and the well-being of its people. AITC National Spokesperson Trajano D’Mello, along with Goa TMC Joint Convenor Samil Volvaiker and ST/SC Wing Coordinator Santosh Mandrekar, expressed vehement opposition to the Amendments to the Goa Land Development and Building Construction (Amendment) Regulations, 2023, during a press conference held at the party office.
Condemning the BJP government’s destructive policies, Samil Volvaiker said, “The BJP government is relentlessly destroying Goa’s environment and neglecting the welfare of its people. Every amendment and policy proposed by the BJP government serves the interests of capitalists, disregarding the rights and well-being of Goans.” He further added, “Goa TMC stands united with the people of Goa, committed to fighting for their rights, and exposing the misrule of the BJP government in Goa.”
In a scathing attack on the BJP-led government’s failure to protect Goa’s interests, Trajano D’Mello emphasized the detrimental impact of the proposed TCP Amendments. He stated, “While the ongoing Mahdei issue involves multiple stakeholders, it is essential to highlight that the TCP Department falls solely under the jurisdiction of the Goa government. However, before resolving the Mahdei issue, the TCP Amendments have the potential to wreak havoc on Goa’s delicate ecological balance. This shortsighted approach jeopardizes our environment, biodiversity, ecosystems, and agricultural lands.” He further emphasized, “Goa TMC firmly asserts that we cannot afford another disaster like Mahdei, especially one that is self-inflicted. The proposed TCP Amendments undermine Goa’s environmental preservation efforts and pose a grave risk of irreparable damage to our land, natural heritage, and exacerbate the challenges of climate change.”
Drawing attention to the flaws in the proposed amendments, D’Mello pointed out, “We cannot wait for further disasters to strike us; the proposed amendments have opened the floodgates of destruction in Goa.” He continued, “These amendments primarily serve the interests of crony capitalists and wealthy investors. By permitting the construction of larger and taller buildings in A1 and A2 zones, allocating land for “farmhouses” and reducing access requirements for hotel/resorts development by converting agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes, the amendments will inevitably lead to overcrowding and diminish the available land for crucial farming activities, severely impacting Goa’s food security.”
Reaffirming the party’s unwavering support for environmentalists, Volvaiker stated, “We stand firmly alongside environmentalists who tirelessly strive to protect Goa’s environment and its invaluable resources. Goa TMC is resolute in its commitment to collaborate with them and oppose these detrimental amendments. We are ready to join them in peaceful agitation to safeguard our environment and counter the destructive consequences of the TCP Amendments.”
Goa TMC demands Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to immediately interven and scrap the proposed TCP Amendments. It is time for the government to show responsible governance and protect our environment, agricultural lands, and the future of Goa.
