Panaji: Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane has said that there will be no ODP for Taleigao for next 3 years while Panaji ODP will be notified within ten days, without sending it back to Planning and Development Authority.
Rane has hardened his stand after Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserratte’s statement accusing the former of not taking MLAs into confidence while taking decisions related to Town and Country Planning.
The minister on Friday said that the decisions are taken after consulting CM Dr Pramod Sawant and party and its Goa unit president Sadanand Tanavade. He said that the decisions are taken to give justice to the common people specially having single dwelling.
In yet another landmark announcement, Rane has said that if any panchayat or municipality holds back the permission of common man for more than 15 days, then it would be considered as deemed approved.
He said that no panchayat or municipality can blackmail common people or hold them at ransom.
Rane said that history of ministers who have held portfolio of Town and Country planning in the past are known to the people how they approved sky scrappers for their own benefits.
“ It is very important that justice is given to the people. The board has taken a decision that ODP will be finalised by the board itself. Anybody having any objection suggestions they can file with TCP board,” Rane said referring to Panaji ODP.
Reacting to the statements, the minister said “there are so many people who say so many things but it is my duty to see that justice is given to the common man.”
“People have seen history of the past that there were several town planning ministers . As far as I am concerned, the responsibility given to me by BJP is to do justice to the common man and middle class people,” he added.
Rane said that occupancies and occupancy certificates which are pending for months together cannot be kept pending. People cannot be held at ransom. People needs justice. I have received representation from CREDAI and several other bodies that justice has to be done.
The minister said that the Investment in the state has to be protected and people who have dwelling units must be given justice.
“Ultimately, whenever any one makes representation to the TCP board, it is duty of the government to see that justice is done to the common man or common people,” he stated.
“There will be no political interference as far as ODPs or anything is concerned. It will be on merit based on experts advice and consultants that have been appointed by the board. Any single individual cannot direct the TCP department or hold the department at ransom,” he added.
“There will be no ODP for Talegaon for next three years. As far as Panaji is concerned, whatever changes that are suggested by the board will be notified in the next 10 days. My job is to provide justice to common man,” he said.
“I have had detailed discussion with CM and Tanvade. Common people are very happy that justice is being done to them. Panaji ODP will not be sent back to PDA, it will be notified in ten days,” he said.
Rane advised “nobody should venture into adventure of giving directions to the TCP because of certain vested interest.”
Affordable housing and green certification is the need of the hour, he said.
“Politicians should not interfere in the planning activities. The consultants are appointed for the same. The report of consultant will be final. Whatever has to be done will be done in transparent process and corruption free manner,” he added.
