from daijiworld's special correspondent in Panaji

Panaji, Dec 16: Goa church is the latest one in line to blow up the lid off the can of worms on government for its support to regional plan 2011.

“This is a blatant crime against intelligence of Goa. Plan (regional plan) in its present form should not be accepted by Goa,” Fr Mavrick Fernandes, executive secretary, Council for social justice and peace, a Goa church’s intellectual wing, told reporters.

Church’s statement comes as a further blow to the supporters of regional plan and the congress-led government in the state which has been receiving hitting from all across. The agitation led by Goa Bachao Abhiyaan (GBA) has been receiving shot in arms from all the section.

Brahmeshanand Swami, a spiritual Hindu saint with huge following in the state, has already pledged his support. Celebrities like Remo Fernandes, Wendell Rodricks are amongst the professionals, who are ready to walk on the road against the regional plan, which fears to strip off goa of its greenery.

“The way in which regional plan was passed is violation of human rights. Planning should begin from grass root but Goa government while planning such a huge plan never considered grass root level people,” condemned Fr Fernandes.

Goa church, through its 140-odd parishes, have been educating parishioners about the ill-effects of the regional plan. “All political parties are to be blamed for the mess… They kept mum all this while,” said Fr Fernandes reacting to a question.

The GBA has planned a massive rally on December 18 in Panaji to oppose the regional plan.