Controversy Surrounds Change in Land Use Law in Goa, Benefiting Politicians and Real Estate Companies
An investigation by The Indian Express reveals that at least two state ministers, politicians, and several real-estate companies in Goa have benefited from a controversial change in land use law, records show.
GoaLand Use LawPoliticiansReal Estate CompaniesControversyReal Estate NewsSep 08, 2024
In all these cases, it is the state’s Town and Country Planning (TCP) department that approved change in land use over the past 18 months, converting “green zones” into “settlements” — allowing construction activity for both residential and commercial purposes, pushing up the land’s value manifold.
Records show that one beneficiary is a firm that has TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane and his spouse as directors; Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira is himself a beneficiary. Significantly, Rane also holds the Forest Ministry and Sequeira the Law portfolio, departments that are key to regulating the changes.
An investigation of TCP records shared with the Goa Assembly last month shows that approval was received to change — officially called “correct” — the land use of a total expanse of at least 20 lakh sq m. This area is of green zones, including paddy fields, orchard land, and no-development zones, and will now be “settlements”.
The absence of public scrutiny and who decides what is “inadvertent error” form the nub of the controversy.
Such changes were allowed after a March 2023 amendment [section 17 (2)] to the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act 1974, which allows conversion of plots without public consultation if the owner approaches the department with a request to “correct inadvertent errors” or “rectify inconsistent/incoherent zoning” in Goa’s Regional Plan 2021.
The absence of public scrutiny and who decides what is “inadvertent error” form the nub of the controversy.
Who got approval
An investigation of records shows the following public figures and corporates among the beneficiaries
The Forest, Town and Country Planning Minister and spouse Karapur Estates Private Ltd, which lists TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane and his wife Deviya Rane as directors, got clearance to convert 11,580 sq m of land in Bicholim taluka’s village Sarvona. Records show approval was received for “correction” of the zone to “settlement”, which was earlier earmarked as “partly paddy field with CADA” in the 2021 regional plan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the controversy surrounding the change in land use law in Goa?
The controversy surrounds the fact that at least two state ministers, politicians, and several real-estate companies in Goa have benefited from a change in land use law, which has allowed for the conversion of green zones into settlements without public consultation.
Who are the beneficiaries of the change in land use law?
The beneficiaries include TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane and his spouse, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, and several real-estate companies, among others.
What is the impact of the change in land use law?
The change in land use law has allowed for the conversion of green zones into settlements, which has pushed up the land’s value manifold and facilitated construction activity for both residential and commercial purposes.
What is the role of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department in the controversy?
The TCP department has approved the change in land use over the past 18 months, converting green zones into settlements without public consultation.
What is the reaction of the government to the controversy?
The government has defended the change in land use law, stating that it is within the framework of the laws and guidelines. However, the opposition has criticized the move, citing concerns of conflict of interest and unbalanced development.
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