Govt ‘accommodates’ Babush as Greater Panaji PDA chief

PANAJI: The state government has cleared the proposal for formation of the Greater Panaji Planning and Development Authority  under the chairmanship of Goa Forward Party leader and former minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate.

Sources in the town and country planning department said the related file has been sent to the law department for its vetting and approval following which notification about  the formation of board of Greater Panaji PDA will be issued.

The Greater Panaji PDA under Monserrate will have Panaji businessman Vivek Angle; CII Goa unit chairman Atrey Sawant; former senior town planner Pedro Coutinho; Mario Fernandes and Raj Malik as members of the board.

MLAs of Panaji, Taleigao, St Andre, St Cruz and Cumbharjua constituencies besides sarpanchas of the village panchayat Taleigao, Chimbel, St Cruz, Se Old Goa, Curca-Bambolim-Talaulim will also be a part of the board.

The town planning officer will be the member secretary.

The Town and Country Planning  Board in November 2017 had given its approval for the creation of two new planning and development authorities  in North Goa. While, Greater Panaji PDA consisting of Taleigao, Bambolim and Kadamba Plateau is one and Mopa PDA is the other one.

According to the sources, Mopa PDA will be headed by  Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.