Goa Town and Country Planning minister resigns

Panaji, Jan 4: In a sudden development, Goa's Town and Country Planning Minister Atansio Monserrate resigned from the state cabinet late last night in the wake of the controversy over his Regional Plan, 2011.

The Regional Plan was opposed by the Save Goa front, including Roman Catholic churches and some Hindu religious leaders. They had apprehended that the proposed plan would change Goa's scenic beauty.

It is not yet known whether his resignation has been accepted by Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane.

The copy of the resignation letter was also sent to Governor S C Jamir.

Meanwhile, sources close to Mr Monserrate said that he might quit the Congress to float a new regional party.

This is the second time during the term of the present state assembly that Mr Monserrate has resigned from the cabinet. He had earlier resigned from the cabinet headed by Mr Manohar Parrikar, during the Bharatiya Janata Party government, after he was stripped of the portfolio of Town and Country Planning. He subsequently joined the Congress along with Mr Isidore Fernandes, Mr Pandurang Madkaikar and Mr Francisco Xavier Pacheco and helped it form the government after the by-election.

Mr Fernandes had, however, failed to make it to the assembly.

UNI