Margao: State Congress president Girish Chodankar on Wednesday demanded an immediate, independent and time-bound probe into audit findings that indicate a potential revenue loss of over Rs 2,100 crore to the state exchequer from additional floor area ratio (FAR) granted to commercial establishments without proper levy of fees.Citing an accountant general (Audit), Goa observation dated June 9, 2025, Chodankar said the town and country planning (TCP) department had granted additional FAR of nearly 11 lakh sqm to 321 commercial establishments, with relaxations ranging from 1.5% to as high as 240%, without applying any prescribed fee mechanism.The audit pegged the minimum potential revenue loss at Rs 107 crore, based on a rate of Rs 1,000 per sqm. However, it noted that the loss could be as high as Rs 2,100 crore if the Rs 20,000 per sqm rate applicable to four- and five-star hotels were applied.“This is a matter of serious public concern. Valuable development rights have been granted to commercial establishments, yet the state appears to have failed to collect the revenue legitimately due to it. Govt must disclose who benefited, how the additional FAR was approved and why the applicable fees were not recovered,” Chodankar said.He also questioned the removal of the earlier 20% ceiling on relaxation of additional FAR and building height, saying that open-ended discretionary powers could create scope for misuse.Chodankar said Congress would pursue the matter before the appropriate authorities and press for accountability.He further said that if voted to power, Congress would formulate a “transparent and people-centric” Regional Plan 2028 through public consultation rather than one “dictated by vested interests”.“Goa has suffered because of unemployment, flawed govt policies and rising inflation. People are fed up and will vote BJP out,” Chodankar said.
