PANJIM: The Congress party is contemplating moving the High Court challenging the recently-passed Goa Town and Country Planning (amendment) Bill 2018, that introduces transferable development rights (TDR) and change in zones as part of the planning process.
The Bill was passed by the State Assembly during the recently-concluded monsoon session even as the opposition had demanded that the bill be referred to the select committee. The Congress, however, failed to introduce any amendment to the Bill, as part of their demand.
Addressing the media, Congress spokesperson Amarnath Panjikar said the party is considering challenging the Bill in the High Court, as implementation of its policies would lead to a disaster and will give real estate lobbies the upper hand.
“Goa is not a place for such TDR policy. This is an opportunity taken by the government for their own benefit in the name of planning,” he said.
Panjikar questioned the reason behind Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar surrendering himself to the demands of his coalition partners and Ministers.
“I am not able to understand why the Chief Minister is coming under pressure. It is clear that vested interests are behind the Bill, which was passed hurriedly without even listening to the demand of opposition,” he said.
