Congress demands action after high court exposes BJP’s alleged land scam

Panaji: Congress said that the verdict by the high court of Bombay at Goa against Section 17(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act proves beyond doubt that BJP-led govt has been facilitating land grab at the cost of Goa’s environment.
Congress state president Amit Patkar said that the judiciary vindicated the opposition’s repeated warnings that BJP was systematically selling Goa through “backdoor plot-by-plot conversions” to the builder lobby. Patkar demanded that govt immediately restore all lands converted under Section 17(2) to their original status.
“Scrap all illegal approvals granted under this now-struck-down provision. Formulate a full-fledged, transparent, and people-centric regional plan to safeguard Goa’s land, heritage, and environment,” said Patkar.
He also said that if chief minister Pramod Sawant did not put a stop to the land conversions, BJP should be ready to face the consequences in the next elections. South Goa Congress MP Viriato Fernandes said that the builders from other states who have bought land in Goa dictate terms to govt on laws and rules for land conversion.
“This verdict is a direct indictment of BJP’s corrupt governance, and we will not allow them to escape accountability. Congress will take this fight to every village and ensure that those who looted Goa’s land face consequences,” said Patkar.

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