PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Directorate of Panchayats to submit by October 27 a consolidated report categorising village panchayats, municipalities and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) according to compliance with its directions on illegal structures and encroachments. The report must identify bodies that have filed affidavits, sought extensions or done neither.
The direction was issued on Monday during a hearing of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation on illegal constructions and encroachments across Goa, particularly those obstructing public roads.
On October 5, a Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar expressed displeasure over several panchayats seeking extensions to file affidavits detailing action against illegal structures. Warning of costs of at least Rs 10,000 for extensions, the Bench said, “Let the panchayats know we are not happy with the reason for extension.”
The High Court has repeatedly criticised the State and local authorities for failing to curb illegal constructions and encroachments, flagging their impact on Goa’s fragile ecology and questioning inaction against violations.
