Court orders prompt action on Baina water sports violations

PANAJI

The Bombay High Court at Goa has directed the Directorate of Tourism and the Captain of Ports Department to dispose of the notices they have issued to the water sports operators at Baina beach, who are allegedly violating the terms and conditions of the licence. 

Hearing a petition filed by the Baina Watersports Association, who alleged that, among other grievances, the queue system was not being followed by operators at the beach. 

The Association claimed to have addressed a representation/complaint dated 01.12.2023 to various authorities including the Director of Tourism and the Police Inspector of the Coastal Police Station but that their grievances are not promptly redressed by the authorities.

In response the government told the High Court that the Director of Tourism has also issued notices dated 02.02.2024 to three violators and that 17 notices are proposed to be issued in the next two days to the alleged violators.

“We direct that the Director of Tourism must dispose of these 20 show cause notices as expeditiously as possible and in any case within 15 days from today by complying with  principles of natural justice and fair play. The decision on these notices must be communicated to the petitioner within three weeks from today,” the High Court said. 

Similarly, the government told the High Court that the Captain of Ports has taken cognizance of the petitioner’s complaints and based upon the same, issued seven show cause notices dated 24.01.2024 to alleged violators. 

“Since the petitioner has raised certain grievances in relation to the water sports activities on the Baina Beach, we direct the Director of Tourism to dispose of the petitioner’s representation dated 01.12.2023 in accordance with law and on its own merits as expeditiously as possible and in any case within a month from today.

“Accordingly, we direct the Captain of Ports to dispose of the show cause notice in accordance with law and on their own merits as expeditiously as possible and in any case within 15 days from today,” the High Court said.