Aug 19 – TCP Act will be tweaked to prevent plotting of orchard land unless it is converted into settlement zone, informed TCP Minister Vishwajeet Rane. He also proposed bringing in ordinance to amend the TCP Act to prevent illegal hill cutting and plotting by levying hefty fines. He was speaking to media persons after chairing TCP Board meeting.
▪️ 900 FIRs filed by dept; FIRs don’t work, hefty fine of over Rs 25 lakh proposed as deterrent
Pointing out that over 900 FIRs have already been filed by the department for illegal plotting and hill cutting without any relief to the department, Rane said, “FIRs alone don’t help. Fines also need to be increased”. The amendment has proposed increasing fines from existing Rs 10 lakh to over Rs 25 lakh for such illegalities. “Fines will be established based on the size of the area,” he added. He also said that details of such attempts of illegal plotting of orchard land, hill cutting etc will be published so that people are aware of such illegalities. “Investor sentiments in the state have to be protected,” he asserted. The board has also proposed that no big project should be permitted in the state without Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) certification. Decisions of the board vis-a-vis amendments to TCP Act will be ratified in the next TCP board meeting and further sent to the govt for further action, he said.
Rane informed that he has asked TCP dept to file FIR on 100 plots being made on orchard land at Dharkhand, Valpoi without following proper procedure.
