Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane said that hill-cutting permissions will be withheld until new guidelines are established.
Rane also said that he has decided to discuss this issue further with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to enhance existing environmental protection laws.
“Hill-cutting permissions will be withheld until new guidelines are established.TCP has not given any permission for hill cutting in the last 6 months.
He revealed that he is examining the permissions given for the DLF project and confirming the approvals for the Bhutani project. He also revealed that he has requested data pertaining to the DLF project at Reis Magos Hill and the Bhutani project at Sancoale.
Rane emphasized that before making any judgments, it is crucial to confirm the facts.
“I will not be able to take action if the legal licenses for these projects are obtained. But we will definitely take the necessary action if any infractions are discovered,” he stated.
Rane clarified that the property conversion happened long ago and that the DLF project permissions were obtained before to his term. He also mentioned that he is now reviewing the permissions that have been granted for this project.
TCP Minister Rane stated that former lawmaker Alina Saldanha and Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas have voiced concerns about the Bhutani project.
Vas was reassured by Rane that a comprehensive project assessment would be carried out.
Additionally, Rane maintained that any issues raised should be understood in the context that most project permissions were granted before his appointment as the TCP Minister.
