Digital Goa, Feb 7- Bill to omit ‘controversial’ Section 16B of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1974 and introduce Section 39A, for ease of land conversions was passed by the house amid commotion today. Goa Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill, (Bill No. 7 of 2024) omits Section 16 B and introduces new Section 39A, using which the chief town planner can alter or modify the Regional Plan or the Outline Development Plan(ODP) for carrying out change of zone of land, after giving notice of 30 days inviting suggestions from the public. However, the change of zone shall not be in respect if any eco sensitive land as may be prescribed, states the bill which was passed todat. Incidentally, Section 16B, has been challenged in the high court. Justifying the amendments TCP Minister Vishwajeet Rane said he will place 7,000 odd applications of zone conversion under 16 B, nearly 1000 of which were in final stages of conversion before the house to justify the need for provision for permitting land conversions. Court stayed 16B for past 4.5 years because efforts were made to convert eco sensitive zones, buffer zones, cattle ponds etc into settlement zone through it, he claimed.
