Panaji: The Scrutiny Committee of the Town and Country Planning Department, which was tasked with identifying irregularities in the Outline Development Plan (ODP), has found several “shocking” irregularities, especially in Para-Arpora-Nagoa. ODPsaid tcp Minister Vishwajito Narayan Rane,
This statement of Rane can create more trouble for opposition leader Michael Lobo. Rane said a former chairman of the North Goa Planning and Development Authority misused his authority to convert his land. As a BJP MLA from Calangute in the previous government, Lobo served as the president of the NGPDA before being inducted into the cabinet by the Pramod Sawant cabinet in 2019.
“Some people holding high-level positions, former PDA presidents who were instrumental in preparing the ODP, have converted their properties while in office,” Rane said.
“It is tantamount to prosecution (obligation) under the Prevention and Corruption Act to use public office for private gain. Several such irregularities have also been identified in the ODPs of Nagao, Para and others, where high-rise buildings have been sanctioned without proper access.
Rane also said that the 10-member inquiry committee has observed that many cultivators and khazan lands have been converted, along with undeveloped slopes that exceed the 35% gradient permissible limit.
“It is interesting to compare the Calangute-Candolim ODP with the newly-created ODP. These irregularities are shocking,” Rane said. “All the information, survey number by survey number will be shared once the committee completes its review.”
Ahead of the assembly elections to be held on February 14, Lobo left the BJP and joined the Congress. After Rane took over the TCP department, he immediately called for suspension and investigation of all ODPs. A committee headed by chief town planner Rajesh Naik has been asked to examine the ODP construction process.
Lobo already has an FIR registered against him and his wife for their alleged involvement in hill-cutting and land-filling.
“It is important to have planning consultants on board to monitor such wrongdoings. I am confident that the committee headed by the Chief Town Planner will make necessary changes to protect the uniqueness of Goa and at the same time maintain complete transparency in the TCP department,” said Rane.
Rane said the details of all irregularities, including survey numbers, would be shared after the committee completes the review within the stipulated time frame of 60 days. The committee has met only once to examine ODP.
“It is pertinent to note that several wrongdoings have been exposed by the committee. Rane said it is necessary to rectify these wrongdoings in the interest of the state and to maintain its uniqueness.
This statement of Rane can create more trouble for opposition leader Michael Lobo. Rane said a former chairman of the North Goa Planning and Development Authority misused his authority to convert his land. As a BJP MLA from Calangute in the previous government, Lobo served as the president of the NGPDA before being inducted into the cabinet by the Pramod Sawant cabinet in 2019.
“Some people holding high-level positions, former PDA presidents who were instrumental in preparing the ODP, have converted their properties while in office,” Rane said.
“It is tantamount to prosecution (obligation) under the Prevention and Corruption Act to use public office for private gain. Several such irregularities have also been identified in the ODPs of Nagao, Para and others, where high-rise buildings have been sanctioned without proper access.
Rane also said that the 10-member inquiry committee has observed that many cultivators and khazan lands have been converted, along with undeveloped slopes that exceed the 35% gradient permissible limit.
“It is interesting to compare the Calangute-Candolim ODP with the newly-created ODP. These irregularities are shocking,” Rane said. “All the information, survey number by survey number will be shared once the committee completes its review.”
Ahead of the assembly elections to be held on February 14, Lobo left the BJP and joined the Congress. After Rane took over the TCP department, he immediately called for suspension and investigation of all ODPs. A committee headed by chief town planner Rajesh Naik has been asked to examine the ODP construction process.
Lobo already has an FIR registered against him and his wife for their alleged involvement in hill-cutting and land-filling.
“It is important to have planning consultants on board to monitor such wrongdoings. I am confident that the committee headed by the Chief Town Planner will make necessary changes to protect the uniqueness of Goa and at the same time maintain complete transparency in the TCP department,” said Rane.
Rane said the details of all irregularities, including survey numbers, would be shared after the committee completes the review within the stipulated time frame of 60 days. The committee has met only once to examine ODP.
“It is pertinent to note that several wrongdoings have been exposed by the committee. Rane said it is necessary to rectify these wrongdoings in the interest of the state and to maintain its uniqueness.