VASCO
While the advocate representing one petitioner had stated that the NGT had directed the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) to maintain status quo on the Baina beach development work, the GTDC has claimed that the NGT had not granted any stay and that it had allowed GTDC to carry out finishing works.
Speaking to The Goan, Adv J S Saluja, who is representing Rajabhau Lahanu Pawar, said the court had heard the plea of Goa Foundation and Pawar against the Baina beach beautification on Wednesday.
“The court had conducted the hearing for almost 45 minutes, before directing the GTDC to maintain status quo on the project till further order,” said Saluja.
“Both the cases, one filed by Pawar and the other by Goa Foundation, came up for hearing on Wednesday and after granting status quo, the court has fixed the next hearing on January 10, 2017,” informed Adv Saluja.
It may be recalled that Rajabhau Lahanu Pawar of Maharashtra and Goa Foundation had filed a case in the National Green Tribunal in Pune against Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), Chief Secretary and GTDC, accusing them of carrying out beautification at Baina beach in no-development zone and in violation of CRZ norms.
On the other hand, the GTDC informed the NGT that all civil construction work on the Baina Beach Beautification project, as approved by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and others, has been completed.
“This submission was made by the GTDC, when the matter came up for hearing before the NGT, West Zone in Pune. While furnishing data during the hearing, the NGT has allowed GTDC to complete finishing works such as tiling, electrical and installation of benches at the site,” stated the GTDC in a press note.
“Even as both petitioners, Goa Foundation and another private individual continued to appeal for a stay on the project, the NGT declined to grant any interim relief in the matter,” the GTDC claimed, adding that Adv Dattaprasad Lawande had represented GTDC before the NGT on Wednesday.
When asked to respond to GTDC’s position after Wednesday’s hearing in the NGT, Adv Saluja flatly rejected claims by GTDC that NGT had refused to grant stay to its work at Baina beach and had allowed it to complete its work.
“This is totally false as I was present in court and I had requested the bench to stop further construction work and to maintain status quo. The bench agreed to my plea. All this will be reflected in the NGT’s order which will be out in the next 2-3 days,” Adv Saluja.
“The NGT has only allowed the GTDC to fix the bulbs, clean the benches and clear the debris. The NGT has directed the GTDC not to carry out any further construction at the site,” he added.
