By Marcellus D'Souza

Apr 19: Vishwajit Rane, Goa’s Town and Country Planning Minister in a major decision has decided to review all the proposals that got consent since 2018 when Section 16B of the Town and Country Planning Act (TCP) was introduced.

The decision will put back on the drawing board 1,700 applications, whose proposals for zonal change has either received provisional or final approval.

Vishwajit Rane hinted at the possible suspension of the Outline Development Plans (ODPs) – final as well as the draft – prepared by the respective Planning and Development Authorities (PDAs).

Rane, who chaired the first meeting of the new TCP Board decided to examine these plans considering pending court cases and public objections.

The government has notified the OPDs of Vasco, Parra, Arpora-Nagoa, Candolim, Panjim, Mapusa, Calangute, Margao, Taleigao and Ponda planning areas, while the ODP of Kadamba Plateau under Greater Panjim Planning Area is in the draft stage.

Rane said that the first meeting laid focus on bringing transparency in the system along with ease of doing business.

Stating that he is for a transparent government model, he announced he would to review all the cases approved under Section 16B of the TCP Act. He said that with matter being sub judice, no new approvals will be granted for zonal change.

Rane announced the creation of a committee headed by former Chief Town Planner Mathew James, TCP (Planning) Rajesh Naik and other members which will be constituted to review the cases. The committee will have to submit its report within 45 days for necessary action, he said adding that if required another 15 days time will be granted to the committee.

Over 1,431 provisional approvals and 250 final approvals were granted for zone change under 16B since its introduction in 2018. “We will reject all those cases where we find deviation from rules and regulations,” Rane said.

On the ODP front, Rane sought a detailed presentation on all final and draft ODPs from the TCP Department during its next Board meeting, which will be held soon.

Rane said that under grave emergency, the Board has powers to suspend the ODPs if it finds discrepancies or deviation from rules and regulations. “Also, there are lot of court cases, public objections… based on seriousness of cases or in major discrepancies, the Board will have to take drastic steps,” Rane asserted.

The ODPs of Panjim, Calangute, Candolim and Parra have moved the court in this regard and the matter is sub- judice.

The controversial section was piloted by Vijay Sardesai of Goa Forward Party in mid 1980 when Sardesai was TCP minister in the Manohar Parrikar government.

The amendment has been challenged in the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court who in an interim order has said “all decisions under the proviso will be subject to the final outcome of the petition and applicants will not be able to seek any relief in retrospect.”

The Board further decided to appoint a panel of town planning consultants under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, who will take onboard planning consultants. Rane said “international or national property consultant would be empanelled to bring in uniform planning, to preserve Goa’s uniqueness. For the preparation of ODPs, PDAs will be required to utilise these consultants, failing which the plans will not be approved.”