PORVORIM: The State government has set December 1 as the new deadline for finalising the Regional Plan 2021 (RP21), which will be notified taluka wise beginning with Sattari and Canacona talukas.
Replying to the debate on grants to his departments, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Town and Country Planning Francis D’Souza on Monday said, “I had earlier said that the plan would be finalised by December 31 but now I am aiming it to complete 30 days in advance. Now let the new deadline will be before December 1.” He added that there is scope to make necessary rectifications and changes to the existing plan including illegal land conversion and zoning and road width.
The Minister said that based on inputs from local bodies and public, it was felt there is no need to de-notify RP21 but instead undertake rectifications. He said that during the second round of public inputs, 6500 applications were received, most being from Salcete (1260) and Bardez (1030).
“The State Level Committee constituted to look into these applications and make necessary changes, have taken up Sattari and Canacona taluka for rectification and notification in the first phase. This will be followed by other talukas,” D’Souza said.
The opposition and ruling benches grilled the TCP Minister for the failure to notify RP 21. BJP MLA Michael Lobo demanded that the existing plan be scrapped.
“I have inherited this department. It was not with me since 2012. But now I have started the work,” he said responding to point raised by Leader of the Opposition Pratapsingh Rane who said that in last four years nearly Rs 72 crore have been spent on the salaries of TCP employees, who have failed to complete the RP.
Defending the department, D’Souza said TCP has ensured that developmental works were not hampered in absence of the RP. He said that RP 2001 was taken as a reference plan and ensured that whatever is common in RP 2001 and RP21 is allowed, while keeping the rest on hold since June, 2012.
Responding to concerns raised by MLAs about illegal land conversion, D’Souza said that directions have been issued to all sub-registrar to ensure no sale deeds are signed of unauthorised sub-divisions.
