INTRODUCTION Citizens of Goa, a group of ordinary goans have been demanding that the Regional Plan 2021 be scrapped because it appears to benefiting Crony Capitalists and not goans. Goans are aware of these problems and share our sentiments.
However, we goans need to voice our demands unanimously via the gram sabha for which this group has proposed a resolution that needs to be passed to send a strong message to the government. This resolution was presented in a press conference today in panjim. WHY NOW? Goans have been fighting the injustice in areas of land, mines, sez, industry, etc for a long time. Today, we need to send a message that we are united and the best way to do it is through gram sabhas. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Please forward this to all your friends and family as ask them to participate with you in the next gram sabha in your village. A special gram sabha is held on independence day, 15 August 2014. What a better day to pass a resolution to protect the interest and independence of Goa. RESOLUTION Regional Plan 1.De-notify the Regional Plan 2021 (Policy and Land use Plans) and restart the process of formulating a regional plan as per accurate data of current land use (agricultural, khazan roads, forests, water bodies etc ) and as per the aspirations of the people, both present and future. Special Status 2.Goa should be granted Special Status under Article 371 of the constitutionin order to protect the linguistic, cultural, social, demographic identity, land and environment of Goa. Investment Policy 3.Goa Investment Policy 2014 should be scrapped because -The goals of the policy are set without taking into account the aspiration of people (gram sabhas and panchayats). -The policy does not focus on developing key industries such as tourism, IT and agriculture that are the strengths of Goa and Goan talent. Instead this policy wants to make Goa a “Jack of all Industries and master of None” -Policy itself is a complete violation of the Regional Plan -Policy will lead to flood of immigrants since the jobs that are created will not match the skills that are offered by Goans. -Policy will attract industries that are polluting and may destroy the ecosystem of Goa as in the case of Cuncolim and Kundaim. 4.Investment policy must be formed which attracts international export driven, sustainable and environmentally friendly industries such as tourism, IT, fishing, cash crop agriculture etc along with free job oriented quality training for youth that will make them highly skilled and employable. Special Economic Zones (SEZ) 5.Land that was acquired in the name of SEZ must be returned to the respective villages so that it can be utilised for sustainable developments. 6.No land should be given to Promoter companies, who were fraudulently allotted land, because that will amount to awarding companies for illegal acts. Mining 7.Entire value of the illegally extracted ore must be recovered immediately so that it can be utilised to develop the infrastructure, education and welfare of the state. 8.Strict criminal actions must be taken against mine owners who were involved in illegal mining activities. BE IT THIS RESOLUTION BE PASSED ON DAY OF INDIAN INDEPENDENCE IN EVERY GRAM SABHA FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF GOA WHILE PROTECTING THE INTEREST AND IDENTITY OF GOA.