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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Oppn leader demands white paper on land conversions
Porvorim: Opposition leader Yuri Alemao on Thursday demanded that town and country planning minister Vishwajit Rane table a white paper detailing the total land that has been converted under Sections 16(b), 17(2), and 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act. While promising to answer the opposition's queries, Rane said that during his tenure, 16-17 lakh sqm of land has been converted, compared to 9.5 crore sqm under the Regional Plan 2021 and 1.5 crore sqm in the year before he became the TCP minister. 'I will answer all questions on Aug 7 in the House. To the extent that I can give answers, I will provide them,' Rane said. 'The leader of the opposition has asked for a white paper, I will give him the numbers.' Alemao accused Rane of permitting the conversion of eco-sensitive lands for settlement, which would cause irreversible damage to the environment. Alemao demanded a freeze on large residential colonies in villages. 'In 12 years, BJP has done enough damage. Zoning changes are done to benefit the influential and the common Goans are kept in the dark,' Alemao said. 'We need a white paper on all the conversions.' He said that land conversions and large housing projects have caused stress to villages, roads, and water and electricity supply. 'No scientific study was carried out to determine the carrying capacity of Goa, of its towns and villages. The TCP Act was formulated for structured and regulated growth,' Alemao said.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pay Rs 1,000/sqm for extra floor area ratio, height beyond limit
Porvorim: The town and country planning department has issued an order notifying the levy of a fee of Rs 1,000 per sqm on all proposals seeking additional floor area ratio (FAR) and building height beyond the prescribed limits. TCP minister Vishwajit Rane said the fee will be recovered in a retrospective manner from all projects where higher FAR was granted. He made the statement in the legislative assembly after AAP MLA Venzy Viegas highlighted the lapse. 'The law department raised a query and we have started collecting money retrospectively for the additional FAR that was granted earlier. As far as the state is concerned, there is no loss of revenue,' said Rane. Viegas, while speaking on the cut motions for the TCP department, had accused the department of granting additional FAR without charging any fees. This prompted Rane to protest. 'If there is a loss of revenue, go and file an FIR claiming there has been a loss of revenue,' Rane said to Viegas. The TCP department issued the order under Regulation 6.1.1(2) of the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010. The order applies to all projects where technical clearances were granted along with FAR relaxations on a case-to-case basis. The department claimed that the additional FAR was granted after considering factors such as location, type of development, and intended use. The additional fee for increased FAR will be applicable with retrospective effect from Aug 9, 2023, the date of commencement of the amended regulations. The fee shall be collected before issuing approvals granting the additional FAR or height relaxations. Viegas had claimed that around 14.56 lakh sqm of built-up area was permitted by the TCP by granting additional FAR, which amounted to a revenue loss of Rs 2,900 crore for govt. Viegas had likened the lapse to a scam.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
In 5 years, TCP dept spent Rs 8.7cr on legal battles
Porvorim : Goa's town and country planning department has spent Rs 8.7 crore of taxpayers' money on legal costs over the last five years. The money has been spent on lawyer's fees to defend the department's policies, which were challenged through PILs filed by NGOs and environmentalists. The TCP department's move to permit the change of zone through Section 16(b), 17(2) and now 39(A) of the Town and Country Planning Act has been challenged by various organisations before the high court of Bombay at Goa. The department has been defending its stance despite the courts frowning on the policies. The high court of Bombay at Goa has passed directions against Section 17(2) and the Outline Development Plans for the five villages of Calangute, Candolim, Parra, Arpora and Nagoa. 'Both the orders have been challenged by govt before the Supreme Court of India, vide Special Leave Petitions (Civil), which are under process,' said Rane in a written statement before the assembly on Thursday. Rane released the data in response to a question from RG MLA Viresh Borkar. Rane also informed the assembly that the department is involved as an interested party in several other civil cases where govt pays the fees of the legal counsel, consultants and govt advocates.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
MLAs urge Rane to create new Regional Plan
Porvorim: MLAs in the Goa assembly on Thursday demanded that govt prepare a new Regional Plan for the state and not convert hills and hill slopes into settlement zones. Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira said that TCP minister Vishwajit Rane should be requested to create a new Regional Plan as the 2021 plan is dated. He said that zone changes were done at lightning speed for outsiders, but Goans were suffering. Ferreira said that according to the current Regional Plan, roads were designated as being 15 metres and 30 metres wide, which had become a contentious issue. He stated that structures that came up prior to the Regional Plan cannot be touched and govt should issue instructions to that effect. Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said that there should be no change of zones on hills, hill slopes, and low-lying areas. Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo said that the natural areas of comunidades had been converted into settlement zones, and the areas should be restored to their original state. Rane said that he would act according to her request. Cumbharjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai urged the minister not to allow any development activities around the Unesco site at Old Goa, which has a 200-metre buffer zone. Priol MLA Govind Gaude said that due to deforestation, many wild animals were entering villages, and the forest department should address the problem. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Nizhegorodskaya Oblast - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo Rane holds the forest department portfolio as well. Gaude stated that since 2006, the Forest Rights Act has not been implemented in its true spirit. He urged the forest department to take the initiative in granting rights to dwelling units. Bicholim MLA Chandrakant Shetye urged the minister to launch Phases 2 and 3 of renovation at the municipal market at Bicholim.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Health dept proposes to increase MBBS seats at GMC from 200 to 250
Porvorim: The directorate of health services has proposed to increase the number of MBBS seats at the GMC from the current 200 to 250, said health minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday. He also said govt is working on a proposal to set up a nursing college at the South Goa District Hospital. Rane said that the two initiatives, if implemented, will create new opportunities for Goan youth in the healthcare sector. He was speaking in the legislative assembly during the discussion for demand for grants for the healthcare sector, including the GMC. The minister also said govt plans to constitute an expert committee headed by the chief minister comprising specialist doctors who can provide advice on policies for the healthcare sector, emergency medicine protocols and casualty management. 'We are suggesting a dedicated command centre for the 108 ambulance service. We have close to 100 ambulances. We want to create a dedicated fleet of ambulances for VIP movement,' the inister said. Stating that cancer is growing at a 'galloping pace' in Goa, Rane said the state cancer institute's tie-up with the Tata Memorial Hospital will provide Goans with better treatment options at a much more affordable rates. Rane also said the plan is to operate the state cancer institute along the lines of a trust. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experience next-level CPAP comfort with Resmed AirSense 11 ResMed Enquire Now Undo ______________ Mental health cases on upswing since '22 Porvorim: Mental health cases reported at Goa's two main district hospitals — Asilo at Mapusa and Hospicio in Margao — have shown a consistent year-on-year increase since April 2022. Monthly footfall crossed 1,000 in several months, state govt informed the assembly on Thursday. People in the 19-59 age group and senior citizens (60 and above) constituted the majority of the patients, health minister Vishwajit Rane stated. Minors (up to 18 years) accounted for a smaller but a steady share of the caseload. The number of women seeking mental health services surpassed that of men. The 19-59 group consistently made up over 60% of the cases each month. TNN
