Collectors and municipal authorities present action reports amid ongoing PIL hearings
PANAJI
The State government and local authorities on Thursday updated the High Court of Bombay at Goa regarding steps taken in response to earlier directives on illegal constructions.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam informed the media that the Collectors of North and South Goa as well as the Directorate of Municipal Administration submitted their affidavits outlining action taken. However, the Director of Panchayats sought additional time to file the affidavit. The Bench granted a two-week extension to the Panchayat body and others to comply.
The High Court is hearing the PIL on rampant illegal constructions across the State, especially in no-development zones and paddy fields. The Bench has previously pulled up the government for its failure to act, noting how unchecked encroachments were altering Goa’s fragile ecological landscape.
AG Pangam had then submitted that the government was in the process of reviewing all irregular structures and that further action would be informed by this review.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had also chaired a high-level meeting directing both district collectors to act against encroachments, including those on public roads, in line with the High Court’s March directives.
The matter will now come up for further consideration after four weeks, following the submission of all affidavits and review by the Amicus Curiae.
