PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday directed the State government to file a comprehensive report on the action taken against illegal constructions till date and other compliances including the recently enacted law on regularisation of unauthorised structures.
Hearing a Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on rampant illegal constructions in no-development zones and paddy fields, the court was informed by the State that three new legislations could have a bearing on its orders on demolition. The Bench then granted the government and panchayats four weeks to place on record a detailed status update.
The court also observed that several panchayats were involved and numerous affidavits were being filed. It asked the State, along with the amicus curiae, to compile exact details of the actions taken, compliances, replies by concerned authorities and respondents, etc while also incorporating the three new laws.
The High Court has earlier criticised the State for failing to curb encroachments, warning that unchecked illegal structures were damaging Goa’s fragile ecological landscape.
“Goa has blessed us with a delightful nature which needs to be cared for and protected. The fragile ecosystem of Goa ought to be protected… Open spaces are encroached upon. Paddy fields are being converted without any permission and in breach of the statutory provisions. Roads and road-widening areas are encroached upon without any authority of law. Illegal constructions are also put in no-development zones,” the Bench had observed in its previous hearing in March.
The Court had also pulled up the authorities for either not taking action against such illegal activities or avoiding taking such actions. “This has resulted in wholesale change of the landscape in the state of Goa by such wide and rampant illegal constructions without any authority of law,” it had said. The government later announced bringing an ordinance to protect some of these unauthorized structures with conditions, followed by tabling of the Bill.
