PANAJI
Stating that the department of town and county planning (TCP) has not granted a single permission for hill cutting in last six months, Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said that it is a collective responsibility of other departments too, to act against such illegal activities.
In a statement issued Rane also reiterated plans to tweak the existing TCP Act to impose fine upto Rs one core as a deterrent to illegal hill cutting and plotting. He had earlier proposed fine upto Rs 25 lakhs.
"In the last 6 months, no permission was granted to anyone for hill cutting. When the TCP department has not granted any permissions, there is no question of us giving any fresh permissions," Rane said.
"And it is also the responsibility of other departments to act accordingly to prevent illegal hill cutting" he added.
Rane said that the department is moving to amend regulations so that the minimum fine for any illegal violations, such as hill cutting and other illegal activities and plotting, will range from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore, depending on the size of the plot.
"In the future, new guidelines will be established, including requirements for soil stabilization reports from engineers, among several other guidelines that will be notified," he said.
Rane said that as announced by the Chief Minister earlier, the office of Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar, and the concerned Talathis within the jurisdiction must take action against these illegalities.
Referring to the Reis Magos project, Rane said that the project's conversion sanad was obtained in 1994, and the change of zone was done in RP 2001.
He said the first approval was given in 1995, while the revised approval was granted in 2008. Incorrect information about this matter is being spread among the public.
