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T&CP Board to revise Regional Plan 2011: CM

NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Jan 17 Emphasising that his government was open to discussions to resolve the issue pertaining the Regional Plan 2011, the Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsing Rane, said that Town and Country Planning Board would revise the whole plan incorporating the justifiable demands of the people.
The Chief Minister told reporters late this evening that the T&CP Board met today and discussed the issue and decided to throw open the whole plan for public scrutiny and invite objections, suggestions and then incorporate the genuine changes in the larger public interests.

He also met the state government officials and delegation of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry at his residence late in the evening and held discussions with them over the issue. However, he could not keep appointment with the Goa Bachao Abhiyan delegation as his arrival was delayed due to his preoccupation at a function in Bicholim.

The Chief Minister said that he informed the GBA delegation through the Chief Secretary, Mr J P Singh, about his delayed arrival but the delegation, which was at his gate when he arrived at his residence, chose to go away without meeting him ignoring his request.
Mr Rane said that the whole plan has not been finalised and that the coastal regulation zone has not been earmarked as yet and that the government has sought the National Institute of Oceanography’s help for the purpose.

He also said that forest lands (both government and private, if any), irrigated area, water bodies, low-lying areas were also to be properly marked in the plan and that the exercise would be completed soon and marked in the plan. He further said that satellite imaging would be done periodically to identify the violations, including hill cuttings, construction of buildings on slopes, and coastal violations and necessary action would be taken. He also said that Forest Conservation Act would be strictly implemented to prevent any development in the forest areas.

Saying that the matter has been blown out of proportion, the Chief Minister went on to add that the only demand of the agitators was for denotification of the plan. He said that the demand could not be met, as there was no provision for it in the Town and Country Planning Act, which only provides for revision of any plan.

He said that following the objections to the Regional Plan 2011, the government has kept it in abeyance and was using Regional Plan 2001 and if the demand of the agitators was met all the developmental activities would come an grinding halt.

Mr Rane also said that not only would the public suffer if the plan was scrapped but also the state’s economy. He further said that it would also lead to there being no plan and people would resort to illegal constructions in absence of a plan, which would create complications and a newer problem for the state as well as the people.

Saying that the matter would be discussed in the cabinet meeting tomorrow, he went on to add that he would apprise his cabinet colleagues of the correct position and the date for throwing open the plan for public scrutiny and calling for objections and suggestions would be fixed. He said that he was ready to sit down and discuss the issue with anyone, who may have some problems with the regional plan.

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