PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has asked the sarpanch and secretary of Collem Sigao panchayat to remain present in court for failing to act against an alleged illegal structure despite specific directions from the Deputy Director of Panchayats and the Block Development Officer to do so.
Hearing a petition filed by one Deepak Usgaonkar, the High Court noted that the village panchayat was “derelict in discharge of its duties.”
“Prima facie, we think that this is a case of serious dereliction of duties by the Village Panchayat of Collem Sigao. Despite several complaints by the petitioner and even directions from the BDO and the Deputy Director of Panchayats, this Panchayat did not bother to take any action against the construction being put up. Prima facie, it appears that because of the inaction on the part of the Panchayat despite directions from the BDO and Deputy Director, the construction could proceed,” the High Court bench of Justices M S Sonak and Bharat Deshpande ruled.
“The Sarpanch and the Secretary of the Village Panchayat Collem Sigao are directed to remain present in this Court tomorrow, i.e. on 07.02.2023. This direction is issued because the learned counsel for the Panchayat reports no instructions and even went to the extent of seeking 5 weeks time in a matter which indicates that, at least, prima facie, the Panchayat was derelict in discharge of its duties,” the High Court also said.
