THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The North Goa district administration has issued a show-cause notice-cum-stop-work order in connection with an alleged illegal hill-cutting activity at Navelim in Tiswadi taluka.
According to the notice issued by Deputy Collector and District Recovery Officer (DRO) North Goa, Ishwar M Madkaikar, a complaint was received regarding hill cutting being carried out in Survey No. 18/5 near the Mahalakshmi Temple at Navelim without the requisite permissions.
Following the complaint, a flying squad team conducted an inspection of the site on June 2 and reported that hill cutting had been undertaken over an area measuring approximately 18 metres in length, 6 metres in width and 3.2 metres in height.
The inspection team further observed that no information board displaying approval from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department was installed at the site.
Officials also reported that no documents, permissions or approvals authorising the hill-cutting activity or related land development work were produced during the inspection.
The flying squad noted that the activity prima facie attracts provisions of Section 17-A of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, which deals with unauthorised development and is considered a cognisable offence.
The report also recorded the presence of a JCB excavator at the site.
Acting on the findings of the inspection, the Deputy Collector directed the persons responsible to immediately stop all hill-cutting activities at the site.
The notice further directs the concerned parties to appear before the Deputy Collector's office, either personally or through an authorised representative, within 48 hours of receipt of the notice and produce all relevant permissions, approvals and licences pertaining to the work.
The administration has warned that failure to comply with the directions or produce the required documents will result in further legal action against the violators in accordance with law.
