Town and Country Planning Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that the online system is playing an important role in giving approvals for construction of buildings and providing convenience to the people. He was presiding over the review meeting of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department here today.Suresh Bhardwaj said that for online disposal of planning permission applications web portal tcp.hp.gov.in and himtcp mobile app were being utilised, under which a total of 7940 approvals have been granted. More than 2400 private professionals are registered under the department. The state government has also simplified procedure of Essentiality Certificate. The department has replaced seven NOCs by self-declaration/undertaking to facilitate general public. He said that the Town and Country Planning Department is playing an important role in the development of the state. Himachal Pradesh being a hilly state has a special place in the country. Balanced development is being ensured by the department keeping in view the geographical conditions, regional characteristics and environmental aspects. There are about 102 notified areas under the department. Himachal Pradesh has a total area of 204056.20 hectares under the Town and Country Planning Act 1977 (Urban and Rural) and this Act has been implemented in 54 urban local bodies of the state.Secretary Town and Country Planning Rajneesh welcomed the TCP Minister Suresh Bhardwaj. He informed that 21.70 percent of the total population of the state is under the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act 1977. He said that District Level Coordination Committees have also been constituted in all the districts under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners to tackle the problem of unauthorized construction in the state. A Cabinet Sub-Committee has been constituted to examine requests for exclusion and inclusion of various areas from TCP jurisdiction.On this occasion, state city planner Anjali Sharma, Town and Country planner Karmachand Nanta and other senior officers of the department were also present on the occasion.