PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has directed the Panchayat Department and the Appellate Authority to expedite decisions on two pending appeals regarding the demolition of an alleged illegal slaughterhouse.
During the hearing of a writ petition, the State informed the Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Bharat Deshpande, that the Village Panchayat of Siolim-Marna had issued a demolition order dated November 21, 2023 against which two appeals remain pending before the Director of Panchayat.
In the first appeal, respondent Salman Bepari sought to withdraw the appeal filed by the VP. The Court directed the Director/Additional Director of Panchayat to immediately attend the withdrawal application and pass the requisite order without delay.
As for the second appeal, the Court directed the Appellate Authority to decide on the matter within six weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.
“Depending upon the outcome of Panchayat Appeal, if an illegality is found in the subject structure, further action which may be warranted under the Law shall also be taken by the concerned authorities,” the Bench ordered while disposing of the petition filed by the VP.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board had earlier issued a notice on September 26, 2024, directing the respondents to show cause why the unlicensed operations of the establishment should not be stopped immediately, including the suspension of slaughtering activities.
The Directorate of Food and Drug Administration also submitted an inspection report prepared by the Health Officer, stating that a show-cause notice under Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, was issued for operating without the necessary license or registration.
The VP also raised concerns about alleged illegal construction at the site where the establishment is operating.
