Goa amends TCP Act ahead of formulating TDR policy

Ahead of formulating the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) policy, the Goa government today amended the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act creating independent Chief Town Planners for land use, planning and administration purpose respectively.
Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai had recently told the House that TDR policy, which will be a backbone of upcoming Regional Plan 2030, will be formulated in next six months.
The TDR is expected to curb increasing conversion of agricultural and orchard lands in the state.
On the last day of the monsoon session today, the state legislative assembly amended 43-year-old Goa, Daman and Diu Town and Country Planning Act creating three different posts for Chief Town Planners -- land use, planning and administration.

The Bill which was tabled by Sardesai earlier during the fortnight-long session had claimed that creation of such posts, bifurcating the responsibilities,was required to "cope-up with the increased load of work which is likely to further increase in coming years."
In the statement of objections and reasons, the Bill mentions that Act was enacted in the year 1974 and in the last 43 years, the state has witnessed increase in infrastructural projects and development of land on account of various factors like tourism, improved standards of living and nuclear families besides others.
In view of this, the work load on the Town and Country Planning Department has increased multifold, therefore it is desirable that a special dedicated Chief Town Planner is available for planning, land use and administration respectively.

The Bill mentions that "on account of creation of two additional posts of chief town planners, it is expected that the expenditure to an extent of Rs 34 lakh will be involved per year.