Fw: Zoning laws

["Dr. Sanjeev Sabhlok" <sanjeev@sabhlokcity.com>]

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Well, with permission from S.V. Raju, here are the details. BTW, Mr. D'Souza
is very highly regarded in this sector, as I confirmed from the Urban
Research Institute of the Times Research Foundation, on the 22nd.

----- Original Message -----
From: J.B. D'Souza <bain@poboxes.com>
To: <sanjeev@sabhlokcity.com>
Cc: <freedom@vsnl.com>
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2000 9:26 PM
Subject: Zoning laws

> Dear Dr.Sabhlok,
> Mr.S.V.Raju has sent me your letter of the 17th January,
> although it is twenty years since I retired from service.  I did so
> from the post of Secretary, Urban Development, in the Central
> government, before which I worked in the Maharashtra government
> in the same capacity.  Consequently, Raju believes I know
> something about the subject.
> Since land is a state subject, its use can be regulated only
> under state legislation.  For their urban areas most states have
> made city/town planning laws, which enable their administrations
> to regulate land use, including zoning, in their urban areas.  In our
> state we have the Maharashtra Town Planning Act, under which
> Development Plans have been framed for the towns in the state.
> These plans prescribe the areas that can be used for residence,
> commerce, industry, recreation, etc., as well as the rules for
> building.  Without such regulation, under a specific law, it would be
> difficult to control the use of land, even though in Maharashtra the
> Land Revenue Code requires the Collector's permission before land
> is put to non-agricultural use.  Restraints under the Code would be
> arbitrary and dsicriminatory without a zoning plan, and might not
> survive a challenge in the courts.  So perhaps Meghalaya should
> enact a planning law if it does not already have one.
> I should add, however, that the existence of a Development
> Plan does not prevent the urban mess that you fear.  Just look at
> the towns in our state, which was probably the first to legislate on
> this subject, to realise how inadequate a law can be if political will
> and administrative integrity are weak.  Bombay is itself a prime
> example of urban chaos.
> I hope this is of some use to you.
> Sincerely,
>
> J.B.D'Souza
>


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