Team Herald
PANJIM: As opposition mounts to the proposed amendments to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane said that the government is open to constructive ideas and will act upon positive suggestions.
In a statement, Rane said that anything that is not in the interest of the State and its people would not be taken up, and assured to achieve the best outcome, holistically. He also said that development lag will hold back economic growth and progress.
“The government is here to be open and accessible to Goans and is willing to listen to new notions and requests from all. Our decisions and amendments are before the public. Positive suggestions from everyone will be acknowledged and acted upon,” he said adding that it is important for the government to favour reforms.
Justifying the amendments, Rane said that the provision for a Golf Course and a Film City was already made under the Regional Plan-21 and that the new proposed regulations have now brought clarity. “With tourism being the driving force of the State economy, it is important that tourism projects are encouraged and incentivized,” said Rane.
“We have therefore decided that the allowance of additional FAR as applicable to 4-star and 5-star hotels only shall also be extended to 3-star hotels/resorts as they are scattered across urban as well as rural parts of the State. This will facilitate additional accommodation in other parts of the State and will generate additional revenue and employment,” he explained.
He said that the proposed TDR regulations provide for transferable development rights for posterity and are intended to preserve the natural reserves and resources of the State.
“While arriving at the decision on the activities to be permitted, we have taken extreme care that they shall not lay additional burden on the State infrastructure. While promoting activities, equal focus and emphasis will be laid on not causing any damage to the environment,” the Minister said.
“With the introduction of Green Certification, we are committing to uphold the virtues of natural and sustainable living,” he said. He informed about services of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) being engaged to assist in designing and monitoring the different projects, resource conservation, site planning and management, eco-friendly design, selection of species for landscape, water conservation, installation of Sewage Treatment Plants and creation of catchment areas, among other aspects.
Keeping in line with ease of doing business and to minimise the time of approvals, the government has now empowered empaneled Notary Architects/Notary Engineers, to issue Technical Clearance/Development Permission for construction upto 500 m2, in the approved layout.
“As a minister, I am not an expert in every area. To ensure balanced development, a proper representation of professional bodies on the Board has been done, so that transparency is maintained while coming out with new policies in the interest of the State,” Rane said.
