Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Retired Bombay High Court Judge Justice Ferdino Rebello met Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and raised serious concerns over what he termed as illegal administrative actions facilitating unregulated development in Goa, including a 2023 circular issued by the Town Planner permitting hill cutting.
Speaking after the meeting, Justice Rebello said he placed a detailed 10-point charter of demands before the Chief Minister, focusing on systemic reforms in land-use planning and development regulations.
He alleged that the 2023 circular related to hill cutting was issued without legal authority and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
“The Town Planner has no authority to issue such a circular. It is illegal and must be withdrawn at once,” Justice Rebello stated, warning that unchecked hill cutting poses grave risks to the environment and local communities.
Justice Rebello said the Chief Minister listened patiently to the concerns raised and assured that the issues would be examined. Emphasising that development should not come at the cost of citizens’ rights and environmental safety, he said, “Development cannot be at the cost of the people.”
A key demand reiterated during the meeting was the scrapping of Sections 17(2) and 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, which Justice Rebello and like-minded groups have consistently opposed, alleging that these provisions are being misused to facilitate large-scale land conversions and real estate projects.
“These demands are practical and achievable. Our stand remains firm that Sections 17(2) and 39A of the TCP Act must be scrapped to protect Goa from arbitrary and unsustainable development,” he said.
