It’s quite ironic that the Congress Party submitted a memorandum to the Governor opposing the law permitting zone changes on case-to-case basis when in 2005, the Governor had to step in and stop a similar policy of zone conversion which was implemented by the Pratapsingh led Congress government.
On 14/3/ 2005, just 10 days after President’s Rule was imposed, the Governor held a meeting where he raised the issue of arbitrary zone changes by the TCP department. In that meeting, the Governor had asked for an action plant to tackle the short term and long term measures to systemize the Town and Country Planning of the state. The Short-term measures were updating the draft Regional Plan 2011 based on objections/suggestions which were received, direct the Chief Town Planner to prepare a land use map and register for all PDAs, dispose of all pending applications for changes in Regional Plan, reject all new applications for zone changes etc
The long term measures that were recommended were amending the TCP act to incorporate and Advisory Council consisting of professional Planners, Architects and Engineers, amend the composition of the TCP Board to improve coordination between various departments , determining a minimum standard rate of various areas for calculation of conversion fees and to have a only two Development Authority across Goa looking after development of PDAs, namely the Goa Planning and Development Authority, and the Coastal Zoning Planning and Development Authority which will look into planning and development in coastal areas viz-a viz CRZ regulation with an eye on improving tourism potential in the state. While giving these suggestions, the Governor ordered an immediate stop to TCP department and Collectors entertaining any new allocations for zone changes till the RP 2011. Less then 2 months later, in May the CTP issued an order not to accept any application for zone changes.
Unfortunately, the Government which was formed by the Congress party and led by Pratapsingh Rane did not implement any of the recommendations of the Governor. Would the Congress Party have to submit this memorandum if they had to implement those suggestions 13 years ago?
