PANJIM: Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday said that ‘The Goa Town and Country Planning (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2024’ was withdrawn as additional points were required to be added to it and whatever Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said with regards to it was correct.
He was reacting to a statement made by the Chief Minister that the TCP Amendment Bill was withdrawn in the Legislative Assembly because it was sent to the Law Department in a hurry and the Law Department made a mistake with its observations.
Responding to questions during a press conference held at Altinho, Panjim, Rane said, “He is my CM, whatever he says is correct. Withdrawal of bills is not a bad sign. Is there a rule to introduce a bill after having discussion? I cannot comment on statements.”
“Additional points are required to include in the bill and that was the reason that it was withdrawn. There was need to strengthen it. There are different ways of thinking and interpretation. Media interprets in its own style and I work in my way. There is nothing wrong in adding additional points in the interest of the people of Goa,” he said.
However, Rane also said, “Some people think that I do not apply my mind while making amendments to bills. Media knows I have done MBA. I don’t do anything without applying my mind.”
After facing criticism, Rane had withdrawn four amendment bills, including the controversial TCP Amendment Bill on August 5. The Bills withdrawn included the contentious The Goa Town and Country Planning (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2024, which evoked sharp responses and criticism from NGO, stakeholders, etc.
The Bill had sought amendment to Section 19 of the original TCP Act to the effect that Outline Development Plans (ODPs) remain valid even if the planning area they pertain to are withdrawn as planning areas.
On the other hand, Law Minister Aleixo Sequeira said that he had not read the Chief Minister’s statement and would react after reading it, on Thursday.
When contacted, Sequeira said, “I had no time to read Chief Minister’s statement (appearing in a section of press) as I was pre-occupied. I will read it in detail and react to it tomorrow (Thursday),” Sequeira said.
After facing criticism, TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane withdrew four amendment bills, including the controversial TCP Amendment Bill. The bills withdrawn included the contentious The Goa Town and Country Planning (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2024, which evoked sharp responses and criticism from NGO, stakeholders etc.
The bill had sought amendment to Section 19 of the original TCP Act to the effect that Outline Development Plans (ODPs) remain valid even if the planning area they pertain to are withdrawn as planning areas.
