Team Herald
PORVORIM: TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai told State Legislative Assembly on Monday that government intends to amend the TCP Act 1974 to provide an enabling provision to carry out zonal changes in respect of Regional Plan in public interest.
The minister also informed that government has filed FIR in nearly 63 cases related to regularising illegal plotting of orchard land in last three years. “Government intends to amend the Town & Country Planning Act, 1974 to provide an enabling provision to carry out change of zone in respect of Regional Plan upon receipt of written request and to make changes for correcting cartographical errors and omissions in the Regional Plan,” Sardesai told House replying to a question tabled by Nilesh Cabral.
He said that Government intends to give an opportunity to such cases for change of zone, strictly on its merits and by providing transparent process laid down in the Rules. When asked whether any action has been taken against those involved in illegal land conversions or plotting on orchard land, Sardesai said that necessary actions have been taken in 94 cases since 2015 under Section 16A and 17A of the Town & Country Planning Act as the case may be. Of these 94 cases, FIRs have been registered in 63 cases, with majority violations been reported in Quepem taluka that is 44. FIRs have also been registered in talukas of Ponda, Canacona and Mapusa. The other cases are pending investigation before the concerned panchayats.
