The recent issue of demolition of illegal and unauthorised shops and houses in Tivim and Nerul shows that illegal buildings are rampant in Goa.
There is a widespread belief that unauthorised constructions can be regularised later. If the construction is made in contravention of the Acts/Rules, it would be construed as illegal and unauthorized construction, which has to be demolished.
Rule of law also envisages that illegal constructions which are constructed in violation of law must be demolished and there can be no sympathy.
The unauthorised constructions/buildings cannot be legitimised or protected solely on the ground of passage of time or citing inaction of the authorities, or by taking recourse to the excuse that substantial money has been spent on the said construction.
There is a need for strict adherence to laws and accountability of officials. Unless the administration/PWD/Panchayat is streamlined and the persons entrusted with the implementation of the Act are held accountable for their failure in performing statutory obligations, violations of this nature would go unchecked and become more rampant.
Any move to regularise illegal buildings will cause irreversible adverse impact on the environment. Any leniency shown to violators would amount to showing misplaced sympathy.
