Vasco:The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee has accused the BJP Government of attempting to use the proposed No Development Zone (NDZ) notification covering 82.85 lakh square metres as a political exercise to whitewash its disastrous environmental record and divert public attention from the large-scale destruction of Goa’s ecology carried out under its own tenure.
Addressing a press conference today, former GPCC President Amit Patkar said the BJP Government has suddenly discovered its concern for Goa’s environment only after years of permitting indiscriminate land-use changes and weakening planning safeguards.
“This proposal appears to be nothing but an attempt to create an impression that the BJP Government is committed to protecting Goa’s environment. The people of Goa are not going to be fooled. After systematically destroying Goa’s ecology through indiscriminate land conversions under Section 17(2), Section 39A and other planning provisions, the Government now wants to hide that record behind an 82.85 lakh square metre NDZ notification,” Patkar said.
Patkar challenged TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane to answer one simple question before the people of Goa.
“Vishwajit Rane repeatedly claimed that Section 39A was introduced to help ordinary Goans owning small plots of 200 to 300 square metres build their homes. Today we ask him—is South Indian film star Ram Charan Teja Konidela, a designated partner of IRAP Infra LLP, the ‘common poor Goan’ for whom Section 39A was brought?”
Patkar pointed out that while the Government is claiming to protect Goa’s environment by proposing No Development Zones, the same Official Gazette also recommends the conversion of 28,483 square metres of environmentally sensitive land into Settlement Zone for KGL Realtors Pvt. Ltd. and IRAP Infra LLP.
According to the Gazette, 18,733 square metres of Natural Cover belonging to KGL Realtors Pvt. Ltd. has been recommended for conversion into Settlement Zone, while proposals relating to IRAP Infra LLP account for another 9,750 square metres being converted into Settlement Zone. Official records show that Ram Charan Teja Konidela is a designated partner of IRAP Infra LLP.
“If Section 39A was genuinely meant to help ordinary Goans with small residential plots, why is the Government’s own Gazette exposing planning decisions that appear to favour influential private entities? The BJP Government owes an explanation to every Goan,” Patkar said.
The Congress clarified that it fully supports genuine environmental conservation. Goa’s paddy fields, khazan lands, forests, orchards, sand dunes, natural water bodies and other ecologically sensitive areas deserve the highest level of protection.
“But conservation cannot become a political cover to hide years of environmental destruction. You cannot destroy Goa’s hills, fill low-lying fields, weaken planning safeguards and then suddenly declare selected areas as No Development Zones to project yourself as the protector of Goa’s environment,” Patkar stated.
The Congress also questioned the complete lack of transparency surrounding the proposal.
The Government has failed to explain:
* Why only these areas were selected.
* What scientific criteria were adopted.
* Which expert committee recommended these locations.
* Whether ecological studies were conducted.
* Why several other environmentally sensitive regions have been excluded.
* Whether Gram Sabhas and Panchayats were consulted.
* Whether affected landowners were heard before issuing the proposal.
* Whether any social or economic impact assessment was conducted.
Patkar said environmental conservation must be based on science, transparency and public participation—not arbitrary and selective planning decisions.
He further warned that the biggest victims of the proposed NDZ would be poor farmers, fishermen and rural Goan families.
“Thousands of ordinary Goans own ancestral land adjoining the proposed NDZ areas. The Government has failed to explain whether future generations will be allowed to build homes, whether farmers can construct agricultural sheds, cattle shelters and irrigation infrastructure, or whether fishermen can improve their existing homes and livelihood-related structures. Once again, it is the common Goan who is expected to sacrifice while influential interests continue to receive planning benefits elsewhere,” he said.
Patkar said the BJP Government cannot have one planning policy for ordinary Goans and another for the rich and influential.
“Poor farmers, fishermen and village families are being asked to live with uncertainty over their ancestral properties, while large private entities continue to receive favourable planning decisions. This is not environmental protection. This is selective planning for political convenience.”
The Congress has demanded that TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane immediately publish a complete balance sheet of all land-use changes approved during his tenure, including:
* Total land converted into Settlement Zones.
* Total land converted for commercial, tourism and industrial purposes.
* Total ecologically sensitive land permitted for development.
* Total land protected under NDZ notifications.
* Total planning permissions granted in environmentally sensitive areas.
* Total approvals under Section 17(2), Section 39A and other land-use provisions.
The Congress has further demanded that the Government:
1. Publish the complete scientific basis for selecting the proposed NDZ areas.
2. Release all technical reports, maps and expert recommendations.
3. Conduct consultations with every affected Gram Sabha and Panchayat before issuing the final notification.
4. Clearly explain the legal implications for adjoining landowners, farmers, fishermen and village communities.
5. Publish a complete balance sheet of every land-use conversion approved during the tenure of TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane.
6. Explain why influential private entities continue to receive planning benefits while ordinary Goans are asked to surrender their development rights.
7. Ensure that environmental conservation is implemented uniformly across Goa and not selectively for political convenience.
“The people of Goa deserve genuine environmental protection—not environmental greenwashing. The BJP Government cannot erase years of questionable planning decisions by announcing one NDZ notification. Goa deserves transparency, accountability and planning that protects both its environment and its people,” Patkar concluded.
People Present
* Amit Patkar – Former GPCC President
* Everson Vales – General Secretary, GPCC
* Ranjeet Singh Rane – Former Congress Candidate, Poriem
* Olencio Simões – Former Congress Candidate, Cortalim
* Prashant Gawade – Block President, Poriem
* Jayesh Shetgaonkar
Issued by:
*Office of Amit Patkar*
