TCP Act amendment: No extension in new areas

Washing its hands off the controversy arising over implementation of the new norms under the HP Town and Country Planning TCP Act, 1977, the government today said it was not extending the Act for implementation in new areas, saying that such decisions were taken by the previous Congress government from time to time.

An official spokesperson, in a statement released here today, said the TCP Act was extended from time to time to different areas during the previous Congress government. The statement read that the Act was extended on July 15, 2006, to the planning area of Parwanoo, consisting of special areas of Harat. Baddi, Barotiwala and Nalagarh were covered on July 21, 2006, and the Act was extended on October 11, 2006, to special area of Chintpurni under the planning area of Mehatpur.

Only the Nagger area of Kullu district was covered under planning and special area on February 27, 2006, while Bir Billing of Kangra district was also covered under this Act on November 11, 2004.

The spokesperson said the government was open to amendment in the norms, depending upon objections submitted by the people.