PANAJI
In a bid to protect the livelihood of locals operating businesses with valid permissions at Anjuna, CM Pramod Sawant announced on Tuesday his intention to challenge the High Court order directing the sealing of 175 structures operating in the No Development Zone (NDZ) before the Supreme Court. The government has also asked the affected parties to file an intervention petition in the High Court for interim justice.
Local tourism business operators along the Anjuna coastal belt, along with MLAs Michael Lobo and Delilah Lobo, called on the CM on Tuesday seeking government intervention in the matter. The meeting occurred a day after a day-long bandh held at Anjuna against the High Court order.
Speaking to media persons post-meeting, Sawant said that in favor of those people who have valid construction licenses and business licenses, the government has decided to move to the Supreme Court against the High Court order.
“We have also asked the affected parties to file a joint intervention petition,” he said.
Sawant alleged that incorrect information presented by the Anjuna Panchayat and the Panchayat Secretary before the Court has led to the High Court issuing a sealing order for 175 business establishments in the area.
“Of course, it is the mistake of the Panchayat Secretary. The Panchayat and Secretary have provided incorrect information and given a wrong affidavit in court,” Sawant added.
Last week, the HC directed the panchayat to seal 175 commercial establishments, including many restaurants and lodges, for operating in violation of CRZ norms and lacking permissions from various authorities.
The court ruled that no commercial activities can be carried out from such structures if they do not have occupancy certificates and clearances under GCZMA, Panchayat Raj Act, town planning rules, and the Health Act.
The orders came after the Anjuna Panchayat informed the Court, which is hearing a suo motu writ petition against rampant illegal structures within the panchayat, that it has prima facie identified 275 illegal structures in the NDZ, of which the panchayat issued 100 demolition orders, out of which about 18 demolitions have already taken place.
However, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who led the delegation, said that the structures, run by locals, have all the valid permissions, including trade licenses.
“The court said that all the structures have to be registered under Sections 100 to 101 of the Panchayat Raj Act, but not just Anjuna but none of the panchayats register structures under this section, and they issue direct trade licenses,” he said.
“Why should our locals be penalized for the fault of the panchayat?” he added.
As per the Court order, of these 175 commercial set-ups, 45 have some sort of clearance from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
Similarly, about 130 structures neither have any clearance from GCZMA nor any permission under Section 66 of the Panchayat Raj Act. Most of these structures do not have any Trade Licences.
