Minister says golf course, film city included in Regional Plan-21, open to suggestions
PANAJI
Apparently peeved by antagonistic reactions from several quarters to multiple changes he has proposed to the law seen as favourable to the real estate industry, Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane has adopted a conciliatory tone in multiple tweets in response.
“The government is here to be open and accessible to the Goans and is willing to listen to new notions and requests from all,” Rane said in a tweet reacting to the objections to some 16 changes proposed in the law.
“We are here to accept your constructive ideas and positive suggestions; as a Government, we are here to work towards the benefit of our people and the State. At the same time, it is also important that the Government favours reform and plays a big role in improving and progressing the society,” another tweet posted very late on Tuesday night by Rane said.
In yet another tweet, the minister said, that all the decisions and amendments were put forth publicly and are open to objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the public.
Another tweet from Rane elaborated on the government’s move to co-opt on the TCP Board domain experts.
“As a minister I am not an expert in every area, hence to ensure a balanced development, a proper representation of professional bodies on the Board, which I felt necessary to have, to ensure transparency as we come out with the new policies in the interest of the State,” Rane said.
He pointed out that he has appointed members of CREDAI and the Goa chapters of the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Institution of Engineers (IIE), Institute of Town Planners and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Goa.
Interestingly, it is these appointments on the TCP Board, which earned the minister criticism as these professionals are drivers of the real estate industry, the very sector that the Board is mandated to regulate.
Recently, social activists, architects, green activists and some well-known civil society groups deliberated in minute detail each of the 16 amendments proposed in the TCP Act and concluded that the intent of some proposals was to duck and undermine the Regional Plan 2021.
The proposal to grant additional FARs to hospitals, educational institutions and hotels or the ones permitting golf courses, film cities and farmhouses in hitherto green zones were criticised.
The proposal for a ‘Central Business District’ with 400% FAR was another that came under the scanner.
The proposal for amendments has been formalised via a draft-notification by Chief Town Planner (Administration) James Mathew, who has also sought objections and suggestions, with a September-end deadline.
Thus far several objections have already been filed before Mathew and the Carmona panchayat has formally passed a gram sabha resolution opposing the amendments.
On the political front, the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) has decided to oppose the changes and will hold a demonstration in front of the TCP department on Thursday.
