Cong’s Pilot accuses govt of encouraging land mafia in Goa

Panaji: Using the disquiet over the land conversion under Section 39A of the town and country planning, AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot accused Pramod Sawant’s govt of encouraging land mafia.BJP govt’s sole aim is to weaken panchayat bodies in order to allow smoother construction permissions, Pilot told a gathering in the CM’s constituency, as part of the Goy Rakhonn Yatra.“In Goa, there is only one agenda before govt: how to change the land use, how to weaken the panchayats and give construction permissions. There is no policy framework, but on a case-to-case basis, permissions are given to the builder lobby and this cannot happen without govt’s knowledge,” he said.The AICC general secretary also said that Goa govt, with the help of Election Commission, is attempting to remove Congress voters from the electoral rolls.He claimed that Congress will form govt after the upcoming elections, with the Sanquelim constituency expected to see a change.“People have realised that a change is necessary and I can see that in the response in the CM’s constituency,” said Pilot.He said that AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi will come to Goa to campaign for Congress.Pilot said that BJP seeks votes by dividing people along religious, caste and linguistic lines.Congress Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare said the 11-day Goem Rakhan Yatra has “rattled” Goa govt. Congress alleged that govt made a lot of efforts to disrupt the meeting in Sanquelim by vandalising posters, threatening participants and refusing permissions.Pilot said that Goan youth are fed up with the corruption of state govt.“Politicians should engage in political work and not predictions We must go among the people, win their trust, understand their sentiments, and avoid doing things that may cause regret or hurt among Goans later,” said Pilot.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Goa | Silver Rate in Goa | Bank Holidays in Goa | Public Holidays in Goa | Petrol Price in GoaStay updated with the latest Goa news. Download the TOI App.