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End of RP 2011 nears

BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 3 — Bowing to people’s wishes, the State government has initiated the process to amend the Town & Country Planning (TCP) Act empowering itself to denotify the Regional Plan 2011.

Official sources said that Cabinet approval is being sought to amend the Act vindicating Herald’s stand that there is no provision in the TCP Act to denotify the RP-2011.

Since the government decided on Republic Day to scrap the RP-2011 with retrospective effect in view of public protests, views had also been expressed in various quarters including political leaders that the government cannot denotify it unless the law is changed.

After studying the legal position, the law department recommended to the State government that amendment is required to the TCP Act. Accordingly, a Cabinet Note was prepared for the purpose which is under circulation to the Cabinet ministers.

Chief Secretary J P Singh told Herald that the TCP is being amended to make provision in the law for denotifying the Regional Plan. He further said that as the assembly is not in session, an Ordinance would be promulgated, most likely on Monday. The Ordinance will precede a Cabinet decision.

The most awaited notification scrapping RP-2011 with retrospective effect, will be issued only after the Ordinance amending the TCP Act is promulgated. It may be recalled that RP-2011 was notified on August 10, 2006 changing land use zones drastically, showing 51 pr cent settlement area more than depicted in RP-2001.

Politicians of all shades and colours began to voice concern only after citizens’ groups protested which led to a successful agitation – spearheaded by Dr Oscar Rebello-led Goa Bachao Abhiyan — with the strong backing of the Goa Church.

News Articles

End of RP 2011 nears

From the Discussion Forum