Panaji: Goa’s architect community on Monday condemned TCP and forest minister Vishwajit Rane’s recent statement against architect Dean D’cruz on the floor of the House. Rane had criticised D’Cruz’s role in the state-level committee for Regional Plan 2021.

“The architect community is shocked at TCP minister Vishwajit Rane using a constitutional stage provided by the Vidhan Sabha to personally slander and threaten a fellow citizen and architect,” read the letter signed by 285 architects, addressed to chief minister Pramod Sawant.

“Dean D’Cruz is the biggest fraud. He is not a Goan. His heart does not beat for Goa,” Rane had said. D’Cruz responded by saying, “You cannot mention anyone in a derogatory manner if they are not in the assembly. The allegations are completely unfair.”

In the letter to the CM, the architects demanded immediate action against Rane and said, “if required, give this important portfolio to a more coherent and responsible MLA”.

They said Rane’s statements are “not only illegal but will invite significant litigation by property owners and developers for infringing their rights”, adding that it is a “threat of retribution” which has caused them to start “losing faith in the TCP department”.

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