VPs to be told to enforce Rule 17 of Building Regulations
PANAJI
The State government on Thursday assured the Bombay High Court at Goa to soon introduce a comprehensive law to regulate illegal hoardings across Goa. This law will modify and consolidate all related issues.
The government has also submitted to the Division Bench of Justices M S Karnik and Valmiki Menezes that Village Panchayats will be directed to enforce the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010 on all hoardings, failing which the VPs will be liable for legal action.
“The government will formulate a proper law addressing all issues related to hoardings. A designated authority will be constituted to grant permissions and take action against illegal hoardings,” Advocate General Devidas Pangam said while appearing for the State during the hearing.
The ongoing Public Interest Litigation has empowered authorities to act against illegal hoardings including those along highways, and to prosecute owners who fail to remove them within the stipulated time frame.
The Court further discussed the prevalence of illegal hoardings, observing that only a few have the necessary permissions from local bodies.
The Bench urged the government to take stringent action, to which the AG responded that the Directorate of Panchayats would issue a circular to all VPs within 15 days to ensure the enforcement of Rule 17 of the Building Regulations, which ‘controls the erection of hoardings along roads or on the rooftops of buildings.’
“The VPs will be directed to strictly enforce the rule and take action against violators. Panchayats failing to act will face consequences under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act,” Pangam informed. The Court has adjourned the matter for further hearing on September 12.
