PANAJI
The Sarpanch of Arambol, who is in the eye of a storm, over allowing as many as 187 structures to illegally mushroom at Girkar vaddo in Arambol, including his own structure which was built allegedly by his father and uncle, on Thursday submitted his resignation before the High Court.
Fernandes told the court that he was ready and willing to tender his resignation from the post of Sarpanch of Village Panchayat Arambol, an offer which the High Court accepted “with consent of the parties so that necessary inquiry could be conducted as directed by the Division Bench of this Court in the matter with regards to illegal construction and also functioning of the panchayat body.”
The High Court had earlier directed Director of Panchayats to conduct an inquiry against sarpanch Bernardo Fernandes and the functioning of the Arambol panchayat after it was found that there were, by the panchayat’s own admission, up to 187 illegal structures built and operating as commercial establishments at Girkar vaddo at Arambol all within the CRZ area without any licences from any authority.
“Bernard Fernandes must file an affidavit by 12.01.2024 with regard to the two commercial establishments, which are in the nature of ground plus three-storey buildings in Survey Nos.63/90 and 63/69. Along with the affidavit, Fernandes must produce permissions, if any, based upon which such constructions were put up in a no-development zone,” the High Court directed.
“On perusing the material filed before us, we must say that we are extremely shocked and agonised at the level of illegal constructions put up in an NDZ without obtaining permission from any authorities. The joint inspection report shows the magnitude of the destruction of this NDZ and its exploitation for commercial purposes. Several cement and concrete structures are put up without regard to any rules and regulations. The fire safety requirements or sanitary and sewage arrangements are completely disregarded. Sewage, it appears, is discharged directly into the sea/river,” the High Court bench of Justices M S Sonak and Valmiki Sa Menezes, said.
“Septic tanks and wells are sunk on the beach. The pictures in this joint inspection report cut an extremely disturbing state of affairs with a callous disregard for environmental laws for the protection of the eco-sensitive NDZ,” the High Court also said.
“From the material placed before us, including the photographs, we find that most of these constructions are being used for commercial purposes like guest houses, restaurants, etc. Wells and septic tanks have been sunk in these Eco-sensitive areas, playing havoc with water tables in the area”, the High Court said also observing that “none of the authorities, including the Panchayat or GCZMA, have bothered to prevent the mushrooming of such large-scale illegal constructions in the NDZ, nor do they appear to be interested in taking any action against such illegal constructions.
