Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Escalating its campaign against the controversial Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, citizens’ collective Enough Is Enough Goa (EIE) on Friday issued a 15-day ultimatum to the TCP Department, demanding that the provision be withdrawn and all notifications issued under it be suspended until the High Court decides on its constitutional validity.
Hundreds of citizens from different parts of Goa gathered outside the TCP Department in Panaji, alleging that Section 39A has opened the door for indiscriminate land-use changes and poses a serious threat to Goa’s ecological balance, agricultural lands and planned development.
Following the protest, EIE members submitted a memorandum to the Chief Town Planner, urging the department to recommend to the State government that Section 39A be repealed or withdrawn through an ordinance. The group warned that if no satisfactory response is received within 15 days, it would intensify its agitation and seek the removal of the TCP Minister.
Among its key demands, the group called for an immediate halt to all fresh notifications under Section 39A, disclosure that permissions already granted would remain subject to the final outcome of the pending constitutional challenge before the High Court, and restoration of the legal status quo if the provision is eventually struck down.
The memorandum also sought the publication of a comprehensive public register detailing all applications received, pending, recommended and approved under Section 39A since its introduction, arguing that greater transparency is essential to ensure public accountability.
Addressing the gathering, noted environmentalist Claude Alvares said the Regional Plan 2021 was prepared to protect Goa’s fragile environment and should not be altered without public consent.
“The Regional Plan 2021 is not a private document—it belongs to every citizen of Goa. It was prepared to ensure that nearly 82 per cent of Goa remains protected from unregulated development, safeguarding our mountains, forests and agricultural lands. Since the Regional Plan belongs to the people, the government must seek the consent of Goans before making any changes or alterations to it,” Alvares said.
Protesters raised slogans demanding the repeal of Section 39A and accused the government of undermining transparent and scientific planning. They maintained that any changes to land-use policies should be carried out only after broad public consultation and in accordance with the objectives of the Regional Plan.
The TCP Department acknowledged receipt of the memorandum. However, EIE said it expects a written response to its demands within the stipulated 15-day period, failing which the movement would launch the next phase of its statewide agitation.
