Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: As demands grow for the State government to repeal Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act concerning zoning conversions, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) has warned that reversing approvals granted through lawful procedures may harm Goa’s investment climate and create uncertainty in governance.
In a statement, GCCI Director Sanjay Amonkar said the chamber’s position is not linked to any particular project but is centred on protecting the credibility of established procedures. He pointed out that businesses make financial commitments, obtain loans and plan long-term operations based on permissions issued after statutory scrutiny.
According to GCCI, cancelling or casting doubt on approvals after investors have already committed funds in good faith could send negative signals about policy stability. Such developments, the chamber cautioned, may make investors hesitant to consider Goa as a reliable destination for future investments.
The chamber also criticised the disruption at the Town and Country Planning Department during last week’s protest, stating that interference in official functioning by public representatives could create an undesirable precedent. Endorsing the Chief Minister’s position on the issue, GCCI stressed that uninterrupted functioning of government offices is essential for effective administration and maintaining confidence among stakeholders.
It further noted that the unauthorised presence inside a government office and alleged intimidation of officials could threaten the safety of personnel and the integrity of official records.
GCCI emphasised that consistency in policy and administration is key to encouraging investment, generating employment and ensuring economic stability, adding that adherence to legal procedures must be upheld at all times.
While acknowledging that citizens have the right to raise concerns on environmental and policy matters, the chamber urged that such issues be addressed through appropriate legal and democratic mechanisms.
Villagers from Palem-Siridao had staged a protest at the TCP office last week under the leadership of MLA Viresh Borkar. Protesters remained inside the building overnight, affecting normal functioning of the department, before police later stepped in and cleared the premises.
