Dears, On 04 July, 2008 [American Independence Day] Dr. Claude Alvares of Goa Foundation made a presentation on CMZ to the GBA Core Group and left. Oscar, Fr. Maverick, Patricia, Ritu, Sabina, Dean, Bruce, Shashi and Miguel of the GBA as well as Dinesh Dias continued with the meeting that was joined by Adv. Albertina. Ritu then made a presentation on Participatory Planning and on Section 16 and 16 A with emphasis on the recent amendments and the DRAFT rules prepared by Edgar for the TF on the subject. It is more likely that Fr.Valerian is referring to this meeting rather than the meeting on 28 July, 2008, which was disrupted at the end by Dr. Oscar Rebelo who entered after Fr. Maverick had left around 9.00 P.M.
The TCP amendment and draft rules have been issued to the Press on 02 and 09 August, 2008. The text of the Participatory Plan has got OPinionatED in the Herald through an unconfirmed source. It is not too difficult to guess. That Fr. Valerian Vaz thought it fit to sign the CSJP statement on the issue reveals the mind of the Archdiocese and the sentiment of the entire Church in Goa on the issue of Social Justice and empowerment of the Common Man. Rajan Narayan's source of information from the GBA Core Group is now clearly identified. Let the k-oss continue! ;-) RPG 2021 is about money, honey..... lots and lots of it. Mog asundi. Miguel COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND PEACE Institute Piedade, D.B. Marg, Panjim, Goa - 403 001 Ph No: (0832) 2422821 STATEMENT 13 Aug., 2008 Church in Goa and Social Issues Today It needs to be clarified at this stage that about a fortnight ago soon after a GBA meeting, Dr. Oscar Rebello, in a personal conversation, asked Fr. Fernandes his opinion on the strong reactions of the people in the Gram Sabhas raising questions of all sorts and causing chaos. In reply, Fr. Fernandes explained to Dr. Rebello that the new social movement theories speak of such stages where people who were unfortunately unaware of their Rights till now, are asserting themselves in the rightful Forum and what appears to be chaos will, in the course of time, move towards stability; hence what appears to be a chaos now is a natural process leading to stability. It was in this context that Fr. Fernandes made the statement. The Church in Goa through the Council for Social Justice and Peace has always been committed to protect the Democratic Rights of the people and to motivate them to fulfill their duties while they obtain their Rights as Citizens. The Church firmly believes that the people of Goa have a Right to participate, along with the Government, in planning a sustainable development in their respective villages/ towns, exercising their Rights enshrined in the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution of India, when the policies and plans of the Government are for the benefit of the common people. The people have earlier in full strength clearly shown this by forcing the Government to revoke the Regional Plan 2011. Now, they will not accept any plans that are foisted on them. It is reiterated that the Church will always accompany the people in obtaining their Rights through a Just Social Order, which alone promotes Peace. Fr. Valeriano Vaz President -- -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Miguel Braganza, S1 Gracinda Apts, Rajvaddo, Mhapsa 403507 Goa Ph 9822982676 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.