Goa church's wing, The Council for Social Justice and Peace, has expressed its disagreement with the process of formulation of the Goa Regional Plan-2021.
"The recent move to open the RPG-2021 for public suggestions appears more of an excuse to accommodate land use changes by appearing to give an impression that the planning is participatory, transparent and accountable," CSJP executive secretary Fr Savio Fernandes said in a statement issued here.
The Council continues to hold that the Town and Country Planning Act, 1975 is archaic and obsolete, in the aftermath of the 73rd and 74th Constitution amendments.
"With such laws driving the Regional Planning in Goa, the RPG-2021 is seriously deficient and in conflict with the powers of the local self-governments, as guaranteed by the Constitution of India...The government is not serious in scientific planning, but keeping loopholes to go round in circles and engage the public in a futile exercise," he said.
The Council, in consultation with a couple of reputed town planners had in 2010 presented to the state government a 'Model Goa Development Planning Act' for consideration.
"Since there has not been any positive response from the government in this regard, the Council assumes that the government is not serious about doing justice to the regional planning process by shunning from its duty of providing the much required clear and definite guidelines and wide contribution from stake holders," the statement says.
"...The decision of the Goa government to initiate a consultative process on the RPG-2021 does not have any legally defined parameters and safeguards to ensure that no manipulation can be undertaken by the Town and Country Planning Board, as has been the case in the past," Fr Fernandes said.
The Council, therefore, rejects the recent process of inviting suggestions on RPG-2021 as a mockery of the democratic process and in no way beneficial in safeguarding the interests of the people of Goa, he said.
"The Council demands that this Region Plan be kept in abeyance until such time wherein the Town and Country Planning Act for Goa is reformulated by granting the constitutional space to the local self-governments in the planning process as envisaged in the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment," he added.
The Mast will once again be on display in a glass case
surrounded by the Station of Cross, Fr Francis said adding the name Bandel comes from the Portuguese word Bandel which means mast.
The installation of 14 Stations of the Cross in the field in front of the shrine with 54 life-size statues depicting scenes of Jesus carrying his cross to Calvary to be crucified is bound to evoke piety and prayer among the visitors, he said.
"In addition, the main door at the riverside entrance of the basilica has been embellished with relief motives depicting religious themes. Plans for landscaping the church field to create an atmosphere of prayer and devotion will soon be implemented," Fr Francis said.
A newly-erected grand door with religious motifs would be another attraction. The symbolism of opening the Holy Door is linked to the words of Jesus "I am the door" (John10:7), and bringing to fruition the words of the Psalmist, who said, "This is the door of the Lord where the just may enter (Psalm 118:20)," says Subrata Ganguly of 'Church Art' - a company specialising in designing art work for churches.
An Archaeological Survey Team had visited and declared the Mast a heritage item and directed the PWD department to re-erect it at the spot where it stood.
After a gap of almost four years, the Mast will once again be displayed in a glass case surrounded by the Station of Cross. All these years the Church had received many inquiries about The Mast.
Bandel Church is not only a pilgrim and tourist destination, but also a power house of intercessory prayers for various needs of people who come to seek Mother Mary's blessings.
