MARGAO
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone, Pune has pulled up the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) by imposing a penalty of Rs 50,000 for the delay in filing reply-affidavit pertaining to a case filed by the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum.
When the matter came up before the NGT on January 3, the bench was informed that the Counsel representing the GCZMA is not able to appear because of personal difficulty.
The Bench, however, observed that it failed to understand as to why this enormous delay has happened in filing the reply-affidavit as no justifiable reason has been given for such huge delay. “It shows lack of seriousness on the part of respondent GCZMA. We find that this is being done consistently from the side of GCZMA in other matters also and the reply-affidavit has been filed after a very, very long period,” the bench observed.
The bench added: “As per our previous order dated 13.04.2023, we had allowed two weeks’ time to the learned counsel for respondent GCZMA for filing the reply-affidavit, but even today i.e. after lapse of more than eight months, reply-affidavit is not being filed and it is being informed that the same would be e-filed today.”
Hence, the Bench directed that it has no option but to impose cost of Rs 50,000 upon respondent GCZMA to be deposited by it with NGT Bar Association at Western Zone Bench, Pune within two weeks, subject to which the reply-affidavit would be taken on record, with a direction that a copy of the same shall be served on all other parties, who may file replies/ rejoinder within two weeks thereafter. The matter will now come up for hearing on February 22, 2024.
Secretary Colva Civic and Consumer Forum, Judith Almeida, who is the Appellant in the case before the NGT, said the penalty imposed by the NGT should be recovered personally from the officials. “Given that the lapse in attending the hearings has taken place because of the failure of the officials, the tax payer’s money should not be used to pay the penalty. Let the concerned official be made to pay the penalty,” Judith said.
