1 hr ago
Goa Minister Rejects Opposition Claims Over Land Development Conversions
Goa’s town planning minister says the government is not allowing widespread building on protected land.
Opposition parties claim that large areas have been changed into places where development is allowed.
The minister says only 0.296% of land changed from non-settlement to settlement areas in four-and-a-half years.
He also said 14 lakh square metres were converted to development zones.
At the same time, he said 20 crore square metres were made no-development zones.
These protected areas include salt pans, paddy fields and low-lying land.
The minister says the government is preserving Goa’s greenery.
He also says the Opposition is making the claims to gain votes.
Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane rejected Opposition claims that land reservations were lifted and large areas converted for development.
Rane said 0.296% of land had been converted from non-settlement to settlement areas over the past four-and-a-half years.
He said 14 lakh square metres were converted to development zones, while 20 crore square metres were declared no-development zones.
Rane said low-lying areas, salt pans, paddy fields and other ecologically sensitive areas were protected from development.
He accused Opposition parties of making the claims to win votes ahead of upcoming elections and predicted the BJP would retain power.
- Who
- Goa Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane and Opposition parties.
- What
- A dispute over claims that the Goa government lifted land reservations and converted large areas into development zones.
- Where
- Goa, with Rane speaking to reporters in Panaji.
- When
- Wednesday; Rane referred to the previous four-and-a-half years and upcoming elections.
- Why
- The Opposition says the government has converted large tracts of land, while Rane says the claims are false and that environmentally sensitive areas are being protected.
Opposition Claims
Government Position
Extent of land conversion
Opposition Claims
The Opposition claims the government lifted reservations and converted large tracts of land into development zones.
Government Position
Rane says the claims are false and that only 0.296% of land was converted from non-settlement to settlement areas over four-and-a-half years.
Environmental protection
Opposition Claims
The Opposition’s claims imply concern that land conversion could threaten protected or ecologically sensitive areas.
Government Position
Rane says 20 crore square metres have been declared no-development zones and that low-lying areas, salt pans and paddy fields are protected.
Political motivation
Opposition Claims
The Opposition has raised the land-conversion issue ahead of upcoming elections.
Government Position
Rane says Opposition parties are making the claims to win votes and predicts the BJP will return to power.
Key facts
- Minister
- Vishwajit Rane, Goa’s Town and Country Planning Minister
- Land converted
- 0.296% moved from non-settlement to settlement areas over four-and-a-half years
- Development-zone conversion
- 14 lakh square metres, according to Rane
- No-development zones
- 20 crore square metres, according to Rane
- Protected areas
- Low-lying areas, salt pans, paddy fields and other ecologically sensitive areas
- Political dispute
- Rane accused Opposition parties of making claims to win votes in upcoming elections
Quotes
Vishwajit Rane
Goa Town and Country Planning Minister
“The government has ensured that there is no development happening in the low-lying areas, salt pans, paddy fields and other ecologically sensitive areas.”
thehansindia.com
“The opposition parties are making statements in order to win votes for upcoming elections, while the reality is that the BJP will come to power again.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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