Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Feb 25: Amid mounting pressure over the controversy surrounding Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday held a crucial meeting with TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane to deliberate on the contentious zone change provisions.

Rane, accompanied by the Chief Town Planner, met the Chief Minister for nearly half an hour at his official residence in Altinho. The high-level meeting comes in the backdrop of protests and an indefinite hunger strike launched by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, who has been demanding the scrapping of Section 39A, alleging that it facilitates large-scale land conversions.

Sources said the discussions revolved around the legal, administrative and policy aspects of the provision and the government’s possible course of action. It is learnt that while the government may be in a position to cancel provisional or in-principle approvals granted for zone changes, legal hurdles could arise in cases where final approvals have already been issued.

Following the meeting, Rane declined to comment on the deliberations or the ongoing controversy.

Meanwhile, the government transferred PI Vijay Kumar Chodankar and police constables Shubham Bhosale and Dhananjay Parab of Panaji Police Station to the North District Reserve Line Force, Porvorim, with immediate effect. The action comes after allegations that the officers manhandled MLA Borkar during a protest at the TCP office last Friday. The PI of Agacaim Police Station has been given additional charge of Panaji Police Station until further orders.

In a related development, Ganesh Gaonkar, Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, said that MLA Borkar has submitted a letter regarding an alleged Breach of Privilege. The Speaker stated that he has asked the MLA to attend the Business Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday to formally place his demand. He added that Borkar may also seek a half-hour discussion on the issue in the House.