Goa: In Vishwajit Rane’s TCP reforms, deemed approvals & online file tracking

PANAJI: Town and country planning minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday announced a slew of reforms in the department, including an online file tracking system from May 1, deemed approvals for commercial and residential projects after 21-45 days, and approval of building plans by empanelled architects for constructions with built-up area of up to 500 sq m.
Rane, who chaired his first TCP board meeting, said that the decisions would reduce the interaction between the department and stakeholders, and allow the TCP department to focus on policy planning.He said that based on the outcome of the experiment over a period of three months, self-certification of building plans can be extended to bigger projects.
“The TCP and the PDA will process applications within 21 days,” he said. “We are moving an amendment to the TCP Act and that amendment will come for approval at the next board meeting. If the file for an area up to 20,000 sq m is not given within 21 days, then it will be considered deemed approval,” said Rane.
For real estate projects that are bigger than 2,000 sq m, the department will endeavour to grant approvals within 45 days. “We need to work at a fast pace. We will bring in amendments. We need simplification of the process and not make it a complex process,” said Rane.
He said that the introduction of an online file management system will help builders, architects and the common man track their applications. “With this online system, people can track their files basically while sitting at home, where it is pending, whether it is with the minister. All the files can be seen and tracked online,” said Rane.
While outlining the measures aimed at transparency and ease of doing business, Rane said that an implementation mechanism to ensure ease of doing business will also be put in place.
The TCP board also ratified the circular that stipulates that files for approvals will no longer be handed to the minister for clearance. “All the files no longer have to go to a higher authority. All the files will be the responsibility of the member secretary,” said Rane.