VASCO:
The government s present plans to set up structures by allegedly violating CRZ norms as part of a Baina beach beautification project bears striking similarity to a similar project nearly 10 years ago, eventually resulting in a high court order directing the removal of those structures. In 2006, GSUDA had constructed projecting galleries and shop-like structures on the seaward side of the retaining wall (barely 50 metres from the site of the current structures), as a part of a previous Baina beach beautification project. Aggrieved that the structures violating CRZ norms were not removed, a resident, Leonard Lobo, petitioned the High Court against the structures. The High Court had noted that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had directed GSUDA, in an order on August 16, 2007, to demolish the structures. “It is apparent that the said structures... are in absolute violation of the rules regarding construction as well as the law applicable to the construction in CRZ-II Zone, besides being not in accordance with the approved plan, as also without appropriate prior permission from the competent authority and are well within the area of 200 meters from the high tide line.” “In such circumstances, such construction cannot be allowed to stand for any moment and deserves to be demolished forthwith. All government agencies are to ensure the removal of such construction... without fail before September 10, 2007.” Stating that the structures were “prima facie found to have been carried out at the cost of public exchequer and in violation of law,” the High Court said it was necessary for authorities to identify and fix responsibility to such expenditure and unwarranted burden on the public exchequer and to take steps to recover the same from those responsible and identified in an inquiry.
