PORVORIM: Asserting that there is large scale illegal conversion of orchard land covering even the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas, Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vijai Sardesai announced that legislation which will act as a deterrent to such illegal conversions will be introduced. 

“There is illegal conversion and sale of orchard land, illegal sub-division of plots and illegal constructions in no development areas. We are bringing new legislation in the session, which will act as deterrent to all such illegal activities,” the Minister told the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Sardesai said that since 2012, TCP has prohibited conversion of land and no conversion certificates are being issued. “The new legislation will ensure that there is planned development,” he said assuring to act against those offenders who fail to adhere to TCP clearances.

The Minister was replying to a question raised by Congress Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte, who brought to the notice of the House that thousands of sq mtrs of illegal land conversions from agriculture to non agriculture have taken place in the constituency, with TCP failing to act.

Sopte said the department has granted technical clearances to all such projects, which have even come up in CRZ areas violating all norms. The MLA placed details of such projects on the Floor of the House, and the Minister assured to investigate and take action. 

The opposition benches, however, demanded that a House Committee be constituted on the matter as the issue is not restricted only to Mandrem but the entire coastal belt. 

Sardesai, however, turned down the demand, stating that the decision on formation of House Committee will be taken only after the new legislation is enacted.