The TCP Board chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza is of the view that there is need to review the status of panchayats (VP)-2 as per RP21, which are now declared as ‘census towns’ to VP-1 category allowing maximum 80 percent floor area ratio (FAR).
During the recently held Board meeting, a four-member sub-committee headed by BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral has been constituted to study the issue and submit a detailed report to the board.
As per RP21, the villages in Goa are categorized as VP-1 with maximum 80 percent FAR and VP-2 with 60 percent FAR. State has total 189 panchayats.
“The Board was of the view that the VPs which are declared as census towns could be considered for review of VP-1 status from VP-2 category,” the minutes of the meeting reads.
The move was following proposal from one Sudhir Kandolkar, who requested to change VP status of Assonora in Bardez taluka from VP-2 as marked in RP21 to VP-1 or change land use to commercial zone (C-3).
Assonora village is classified as VP-2 with maximum permissible FAR limit of 60 percent.
Kandolkar had moved a proposal before Deputy Chief Minister seeking increase in FAR for a plot in the village admeasuring 1090 sq mtrs of area.
During the meeting, Board observed that the village is along the State highway and has developed as a small town and has urban characteristics.
“Assonora is just one example. There are many such villages, which are now developed and could be considered as urbanized. Hence, there arose a need to consider revival of VP classifications,” a senior official said.
Government is currently in process of rectifying the RP21. TCP has received over 6500 applications providing suggestions and inputs for changes to the land use plan. Deputy chief minister has set December end as deadline to notify RP21 for all talukas.
