the goan I network
VASCO
Residents of 100-odd illegal structures at Katem-Baina in Vasco got some relief on Wednesday after High Court directed the government to file a reply to the petition filed by affected parties against the GCZMA demolition notices.
The hearing has now been fixed on June 5 and court has directed authorities to maintain status quo in respect to the demolition of structures at Katem-Baina till next hearing.
Terming the 100-odd structures at Katem-Baina as illegal and in violation of CRZ notification 1991 and 2011, on April 13, the GCZMA had issued demolition notice to 100 occupants from Katem-Baina.
The GCZMA had directed the residents to demolish illegal huts/structures erected on Baina beach and restore the land to its original condition within 15 days from the date of receipt of order, failing which the Deputy Collector at Mormugao was giving directions to verify if these illegal structures is demolished.
If the structures were not removed as per the directives, then the deputy collector should remove the structures with a time period of two weeks and to recover the expenses incurred from the concern parties as the arrears of the land, the GCZMA said.
After receiving final demolition notice issued by the GZCMA, the affected residents in two different groups filed their petition before the high court seeking relief from the demolition.
On behalf of 52 affected fishermen, advocate Devidas Pangam filed a petition before the high court, while advocate Nigel Costa Frias moved a separate petition on behalf of another 25 affected residents.
Hearings for both petitions was held on April 26 and the high court directed to maintain status quo in respect to the demolition of structures at Katem-Baina and kept the matter for May 3.
During the hearing on Wednesday, the high court directed the government to file a reply to the petition against demolition on or before June 5. The matter has now been fixed for hearing on June 5.
