PANAJI
Goa Governor has granted his assent to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) (amendment) Act 2024, wherein a new Section 39 A has been introduced to facilitate changing of zones of land parcels in the Regional Plan and Outline Development Plan.
The change of zone, however, will not be permitted in respect of any eco-sensitive land.
The amendment that was introduced and passed during the recently held Budget Session of the State Legislative Assembly, amidst protest by Opposition, has also omitted controversial Section 16 B of the TCP Act. The said Section was introduced in 2017 to allow change in zone on case to case basis.
Goa Governor on February 21 granted his assent to the amendment.
As per the amendment, the Chief Town Planner (Planning) upon direction of the Government or on receipt of an application and with approval of the TCP Board, may, from time to time, alter or modify the Regional Plan and the Outline Development Plan for carrying out change of zone of any land therein, in such manner as prescribed, after giving notice of 30 days inviting suggestions from the public, provided the change of zone shall not be in respect if any eco-sensitive land as may be prescribed.
“The alteration or modification carried out shall not alter the overall character of the existing Regional Plan and/or the Outline Development Plan,” the amendment stated.
