PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa expressed concern and criticized local authorities for imposing minimal fines and failing to enforce stricter punishments for illegal constructions, observing that this has encouraged people to flout the law
The Division Bench of Justice M S Karnik and Justice Valmiki Menezes' observation came during the hearing of suo motu petition into unauthorized structures and encroachments in the State.
"Imposing small fines with no stringent penalties for illegal constructions have encouraged people to flout the law and act with impunity," the Bench said on Wednesday.
Earlier during the hearing, Advocate General Devidas Pangam submitted to the Court that the Panchayat Raj Act and the Municipalities Act only prescribe a fine of Rs 5,000 and demolition of the illegal structures. He stated there are no provisions for hefty penalties or imprisonment.
While adjourning the petition for further hearing on Thursday, the Bench also sought suggestions to expedite the process to remove illegal structures and prevent any such violations in future. The Bench began hearing the plea on Monday, two days after taking suo motu into mushrooming illegal constructions.
