PANAJI
The petition which has been filed by three Sanguem villagers led by one Umesh Gaonkar and supported by the Goa Foundation has challenged the Investment Promotion Board Act, alleging that it is unconstitutional because it overrides all government Acts including the Town and Country Planning Act, the Panchayati Raj Act, etc and is an example of overreaching exercise of power by the government. With regard to the beer factory, the petition challenges how the IPB could give permission to convert 1.24 lakh square metres of land from orchard to industrial, when such a change in zone can only be done by the Town and Country Planning Department after following due procedure. It also challenges how, the IPB which has been formed to promote green and orange category industries in the State is actually giving permission for a red category industry. “Issue notice before admission to the Respondents,” the court said. After the government has filed its replies, the court will hear the matter on whether it should be admitted or not. “We have sought that permissions be given to strike down and that the IPB law be nullified as it is ultra vires to the Constitution,” Adv Pronoy said.
