PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Department of Panchayats (DoP) and the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) to initiate disciplinary action against officials who have repeatedly failed to comply with its orders on stray dog management.
The Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar on Monday recorded “clear remissness” by the local bodies, including Commissioner of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) in complying with its directions and failing to file affidavits despite repeated opportunities. The Bench said the officials’ failure to submit replies had obstructed the court proceedings.
"...there is clear remiss on the part of the CCP Commissioner, Secretaries of Panchayats to comply with directions passed by this Court and in pursuance of the Supreme Court..." the Bench observed while hearing the suo motu writ petition on the stray dogs issue.
The Bench also directed all municipal chief officers and the CCP Commissioner to inform the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department whether they had complied with the orders. So also, officials who have set up temporary dog shelters must provide details, including survey numbers, locations, area and animal capacity.
The court had initially directed village panchayats, municipal councils and the CCP to set up temporary shelters by October 3, later extending the deadline to Monday, October 26.
It further expressed displeasure over delays in filing compliance affidavits and records of public notices. Several municipal councils, including Sanguem, Curchorem-Cacora, Cuncolim and Margao, submitted their replies during the hearing or assured the court that they would file them by the end of the day.
The Bench questioned the officials’ “casual” approach to the matter and considered recommending adverse entries in their service records. It clarified that departmental action would not prevent the court from initiating separate contempt proceedings.
A meeting of all stakeholders, including NGOs and the departments concerned, will also proceed as scheduled, following which authorities are asked to submit a report on the discussions and decisions to the court the following day. The matter will be heard next on November 4.
