PANAJI
The Goa government has initiated the process of drafting an appeal to contest the High Court’s decision to stop operations at 175 commercial establishments in Anjuna-Caisua for violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. But while the government is doing its part, it has come to the fore that a majority of these premises do not have some or the other permissions.
Government sources told The Goan that while they have come to the rescue of these villagers to support the affected people, legal breaches could pose a major challenge. The local panchayat of Anjuna-Caisua has also come under scanner for its ambiguous stance during the proceedings that further complicated the situation in the High Court.
“The panchayat initially submitted to the High Court that it had not granted permission for these structures. The order was passed (banning commercial operations). Subsequently, villagers and the owners of these establishments showed copies of permissions issued by the panchayat,” a senior government official, overseeing the situation, said as he rubbished questions about the government's role in the High Court matter.
However, there’s something incomplete here as well. It has emerged that most of these commercial establishments are still lacking necessary approvals. “Some don’t have permissions from the Village Panchayat, and if they have, permissions from either health department, Goa Pollution Control Board, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority or other agencies are not obtained. It ultimately becomes illegal,” the officer said, adding that some structures are situated within the prohibited 500 metres of the high tide line.
Nevertheless, the government decided to file an appeal before the Supreme Court to bail out the villagers from this problem. Advocate General Devidas Pangam declined to reveal specific details but assured that the government is in the process of drafting a comprehensive appeal, likely to be filed next week.
“My team is diligently working on the appeal, and we will most probably file it next week,” he said, speaking to The Goan.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had earlier stated that the government would move the SC while advising the affected locals to file an intervention petition in the High Court, given that they showed permission copies and it was not presented in the Court.
