PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has taken suo motu cognizance of the growing issue of illegal constructions in the State.
The Court observed that most of these structures are being erected along roadsides, in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas, and within village panchayat and municipal limits.
The petition was triggered by a case which came before the High Court wherein the panchayat had failed to act against the illegal constructions and execute demolition orders for over 4 to 5 years.
Briefing reporters on the petition, Advocate General Devidas Pangam said “the High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of illegal constructions across the State, particularly along roadsides, in CRZ areas, and within village panchayat and municipal jurisdictions. These constructions, some temporary and some permanent, are coming up overnight”.
Expressing concern that if such illegalities continue unabated, Goa will be destroyed and half the constructions in the State will turn out to be illegal, the High Court registered the petition. All illegal constructions in government and private properties across Goa come under the purview of the petition, he added.
He further informed that the High Court will now monitor the situation to determine whether village panchayats are taking action against these illegal activities, and if the Directorate of Panchayats is holding the panchayats accountable for failing to act.
While no formal directions have been issued to any authorities, the High Court has asked the State government to explore solutions against the menace of illegal constructions, especially those that appear overnight, often over weekends. The matter has been scheduled for October 22 to decide on the respondents and to decide whether any urgent orders are required.
The High Court has been hearing separate petitions on illegal constructions with orders to demolish these. In one such order, the single Bench of Justice B P Deshpande stated that no sympathy should be shown if the structures are proven illegal.
Earlier this year, the Court asked the State to create a system with standard operating procedures against illegal constructions. While hearing a suo motu PIL into illegal constructions at Arambol, the Court also observed that lack of cooperation among various government authorities and departments was benefitting the offenders.
In yet another similar petition, the High Court had directed the tourism department to crack down on illegal constructions on the beaches.
