PANJIM: The Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the Manohar Parrikar-led coalition government has clearly made land and its use the leitmotif of its forward planning of governance with the main focus on the next Regional Plan and the Transfer of development Rights for land use.
The (CMP) was finally unveiled on Monday, three months after the BJP-led coalition government took office, and was largely along expected lines.
The CM stated that Regional Plan for 2030 will be taken up taluka-wise for completion after the policy is in place. He, however, clarified that RP 2021 has not been scrapped. “The main important RP will be drafted based on a clear-cut land use policy. Then previous draft RP will be the principal RP on how a particular land would be put to use, this is revolutionary thinking which is being discussed. We expect to consolidate on this by July,” he added.
Claiming that a clear-cut land use policy will be framed, the Chief Minister announced that a new concept of Transfer of Developmental Rights (TDR) would be introduced in a bid to curb instances of land conversions.
“While usage of land under forest, khazan, CRZ (with regulations), steep slope, eco-sensitive zones, wild life and open spaces will not be permitted, owners of these lands, however, could be considered for compensation through transferable development rights (TDR),” he said while releasing the CMP.
TDR is considered to be a major land reform, with Parrikar stating that these aspects, and other issues, would be part of the deliberations towards putting the policy framework in place.
“Henceforth, construction can happen only with the land property title and TDR. Even your normal settlement area, you will be issuing a certificate along with the property title. You can sell your TDR and earn the money,” he explained.
Parrikar further said that the current Town and Country Planning Act would be amended to ensure that open spaces and road widening areas are handed over to the respective local authorities for further development. The amendment in the Act will give right of development to all land owners but they necessarily will not have a right to construct.
“The construction of the surface will be driven by zonal plan. You have right which you can sell. If someone has private forest, he can’t construct but he can sell the rights with the fact that he is having ownership of the land to someone else and take money. You can buy FAR where it is permitted to be used,” he said.
“This will stop the competition amongst the land owners to sell their properties. A land owner can retain the land and also earn money by selling his TDR. Each land owner will get the certificate which he can trade for cash,” he added.
On the social welfare front, the CMP has decided to strengthen all the schemes like Dayanand Social Security, Griha Aadhar, Laadli Laxmi and Deendayal Swastha Yojna after a comprehensive review on their impact on the beneficiaries. “We will enhance and strengthen the schemes and facilities for senior citizens and special children. Minority Finance Corporation will be activated and supported to ensure the benefits go to the deserving, and a policy will be formulated on crematorium/burial facilities for all communities,” the CM added.
In another initiative, the government aims to establish a support mechanism to provide Goan food items like rice, pao, coconuts, fish, etc to the people by modifying the Griha Aadhar Scheme.
With an aim to make Goa garbage free by 2022, Parrikar further assured to set up waste management facilities along with all requisite support systems to segregate and collect garbage. The government had recently constituted the Goa Waste Management Corporation to tackle the garbage menace.
Asked the deadline for the implementation of the CMP, the CM said, “In the next four years and nine months (as government has already completed three months).”
