PANJIM: The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act will be tweaked to prevent plotting of orchard land unless it is converted into settlement zone, while a penalty of Rs 25 lakh will be imposed on illegal plotting, informed Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane.
Addressing a press conference after chairing the TCP Board meeting on Monday, Rane also proposed bringing in an Ordinance to amend the TCP Act, 1974, to prevent illegal hill cutting and plotting (sub-divisions of plot) by levying hefty fines. The proposed amendment will not allow settlement zone on orchard land.
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Pointing out that over 900 FIRs had already been filed by the TCP department for illegal plotting and hill cutting without any relief to the department, Rane said, “FIRs alone don’t help. Many cases were closed and action could not be initiated against them. Fines also need to be increased.” The amendment has proposed increasing fines from existing Rs 10 lakh to over Rs 25 lakh for such illegalities. Fines will be established based on the size of the area i.e. 5,000 and above square metres, 10,000 and above square metres and 25,000 and above square metres, he added.
The TCP Minister further said that details of such attempts of illegal plotting of orchard land, hill cutting etc will be published so that people were aware of such illegalities. “Investor sentiments in the State have to be protected,” he asserted.
“The TCP Board had also proposed that no big/mega project should be permitted in the State without Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) certification. Decisions of the Board vis-a-vis amendments to TCP Act will be ratified in the next TCP Board meeting and sent to the government for further action,” he said.
Rane informed that he had asked the TCP department to file FIR on 100 plots being made on orchard land at Dharkhand, Valpoi without following proper procedure. Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik was also present.
