PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa warned that it may summon concerned officers of the Finance Department to appear in person if delays in clearing proposals for infrastructure works in subordinate North Goa courts continue, particularly the installation of air-conditioners (ACs) ahead of the summer.
Hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation on court infrastructure on Tuesday, the Division Bench of Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Amit Jamsandekar expressed displeasure over the State’s repeated submission that projects including fitting of ACs at Mapusa, Valpoi, Pernem and Bicholim, were awaiting final concurrence from the Finance Department.
“Last month the statement was the same,” the Bench observed when the State once again sought time.
The Court also cautioned that if there is no tangible progress, it will be compelled to summon the officials responsible to explain the delay.
“We make it clear that if no concrete steps are visible, particularly with regard to the AC, this Court will consider passing consequential orders, including directing the officers (from the Finance Department) concerned to remain personally present before the Court to answer its queries,” the Bench said as it stressed the urgency of installing AC units and sought specific details on the estimated costs and timelines.
“Summer is approaching. The matter requires expedition,” it added.
Government counsel submitted that tenders were ready and that land acquisition reports for car parking facilities, etc had been received. On being asked by the Court, the Amicus Curiae pressed for greater expedition.
The State sought three weeks, citing the forthcoming Budget Session. The Court, however, was not inclined to grant an open-ended extension in the absence of concrete movement.
The Bench directed the State to file an affidavit within two weeks detailing the current status of the works and specifying a clear timeline for the installation of ACs. The matter has been posted for March 11.
Counsel for the State, meanwhile, informed the Court that construction work in Margao is presently underway.
During the previous hearing, the State had submitted that ACs had already been installed in the South Goa courts. As regards North Goa, it was stated that the tendering process had been completed, agencies finalised and works approved, but concurrence from the Finance Department was still awaited. The suo motu petition was initiated in 2015 to examine the adequacy of infrastructure facilities in the district and subordinate courts across Goa.
