Rane bats for new laws to combat hill-cutting, devpt on orchard land

The Goa town and country planning department planned amendments to deter illegal hill cutting and orchard land development. The amendments, introduced via an ordinance, aimed to impose steeper fines and enhance regulatory power. Despite over 900 FIRs, current measures proved insufficient, thus prompting a minimum fine increase from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh for violations.