Goa's Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane made a firm commitment on Monday. He said his department will strictly follow all rules and regulations. This statement came as he addressed growing public concerns about land conversions and mega projects in the state.
Minister Responds to Public Movement
Rane spoke to reporters outside the Goa Legislative Assembly in Porvorim. His comments followed increased support for a public movement. Former Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Ferdino Rebello launched this movement. Justice Rebello recently released a ten-point charter. It strongly calls for controlling the TCP department's rapid approvals for land conversion.
Assurance of Legal Compliance
"Whatever is being done will be done as per the law," Minister Rane stated clearly. He emphasized that existing laws guide all departmental actions. "There is a law that is laid down. Vishwajit Rane did not make any law," he added, distancing himself from creating regulations.
The minister assured that his team would scrutinize all complaints thoroughly. "We will go by rules and regulations," he promised. "If there is some deviation from the rules and regulations, we will check." He noted that beyond departmental rules, the court of law remains the final arbiter.
Standing with the People
Rane expressed his alignment with public sentiment. "We are working for the people and we will stand by the people," he declared. This statement directly responds to the growing public movement demanding greater transparency in land deals.
However, the minister showed limited awareness of specific representations. When asked about Justice Rebello's concerns regarding land conversions, Rane pretended to have "no idea" about them. He redirected such questions to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant instead.
Addressing Specific Concerns
The minister also touched upon particular cases causing public anxiety. He mentioned large tracts of converted land in Pernem. Rane said he could not speak about these specific conversions at this time.
Rane posed a rhetorical question about conflict resolution methods. "Do we want to settle all the issues on the streets?" he asked, suggesting proper legal channels should address these matters rather than public protests.
The TCP department's approach now faces increased public scrutiny. Minister Rane's assurances aim to balance regulatory compliance with responding to citizen concerns. The situation continues to develop as both the government and public movement articulate their positions on land use in Goa.
