Goa's Land Use Law Tweak: Who Benefits and Why
Real estate companies, politicians, and even government ministers are among the beneficiaries of a controversial change in Goa's land use law, which threatens the state's green zones.
GoaLand Use LawReal EstatePoliticiansConflict Of InterestReal EstateSep 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 Goa's land use law?
The controversy surrounds the amendment 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.
Who are the beneficiaries of the land use law change?
Real estate companies, politicians, and even government ministers are among the beneficiaries of the land use law change.
What is the impact of the land use law change on Goa's green zones?
The land use law change threatens Goa's green zones, including paddy fields, orchard land, and no-development zones, which will now be converted into “settlements” allowing construction activity for both residential and commercial purposes.
What is the role of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department in the land use law change?
The TCP department approved the change in land use over the past 18 months, converting “green zones” into “settlements”.
Is there a conflict of interest in the land use law change?
Yes, there are allegations of conflict of interest and political influence on policy, as some of the beneficiaries of the land use law change are government ministers and politicians.
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