A political controversy over land-use regulations in Goa intensified after Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal publicly supported an ongoing protest demanding the removal of a disputed planning provision. The agitation, led by Revolutionary Goans Party MLA Viresh Borkar, targets Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, which critics claim is being misused to alter land classifications and enable construction activity in areas previously restricted from development.
Borkar has been staging a protest at Azad Maidan in Panaji, alleging that the provision allows authorities to convert specific land parcels into “settlement zones,” thereby permitting large-scale construction. The demonstration entered its fifth day, drawing increasing political attention and widening the debate around land governance and urban planning in the state.
Speaking at an event in the Benaulim Assembly constituency, Kejriwal said he had been informed that Section 39A created significant scope for corruption involving ministers and government officials. He argued that growing public dissatisfaction stemmed from concerns that the provision was being exploited for private gain and called for its immediate abolition. According to him, the government should convene a special session of the Goa Assembly if necessary to repeal the clause without delay. He also formally expressed support for the ongoing protest movement.
The Aam Aadmi Party, which currently holds two seats in the Goa Assembly, has actively aligned itself with the agitation. Senior party leaders, including Goa desk in-charge Atishi and Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, were present during Kejriwal’s remarks, signalling coordinated political backing for the demand to scrap the provision.
The state government, however, has taken a different position. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that Viresh Borkar has continued his protest despite appeals from authorities to withdraw it. While the government has not announced any immediate legislative action, the issue has triggered a broader political debate, with opposition leaders accusing the administration of allowing misuse of land conversion mechanisms.
The dispute over Section 39A has now evolved into a significant political flashpoint in Goa, raising questions about transparency in land-use decisions, environmental protection, and regulatory oversight. With pressure mounting from protestors and opposition parties, calls for urgent legislative review and possible repeal of the provision are expected to remain at the centre of the state’s political discourse in the coming weeks.
