MARGAO
Retired bureaucrat Alexio D’Costa on Saturday alleged that the corrigendum issued by the Chief Town Planner on August 24, 2023, allowing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and building heights without limits is illegal.
Briefing the media, Alexio said the corrigendum was issued without bringing the changes to the notice of the Assembly. “When the notification has been issued by and in the name of the Governor, the corrigendum ought to have been issued by the Governor. The Chief Town Planner has no right to issue a corrigendum replacing the provision relating to a 20 per cent increase in FAR on a case-by-case basis and without limits,” he said.
Demanding immediate action against the Chief Town Planner, Alexio said the corrigendum would have far-reaching consequences for approvals granted by the TCP. He urged the Chief Secretary to look into the matter and seek a report from the TCP Secretary.
Alexio alleged that the corrigendum could cause huge damage and turn Goa into a concrete jungle. He also claimed that the TCP official had committed a breach of privilege of the House, as any amendment ought to be laid on the table of the Assembly.
“So far, I have not knocked on the doors of the judiciary since the Assembly session is just a couple of days away. Let us see how the elected representatives discuss the matter in the House. If I had to go to court, they would have an excuse that the matter is sub judice,” he said.
Alexio said he hoped elected representatives would demand that the amendment be laid before the House.
He also appealed to Goans to file at least one intervention from each village when he files a petition in the High Court.
