Goa HC orders compliance reports on illegal constructions by June 12, ET RealEstate
PANAJI: In the suo motu PIL concerning illegal constructions across Goa, panchayats and municipalities have sought time to file compliance reports in the high court. When the petition came up for hearing on Wednesday, govt told the HC it is reviewing the court’s order and requested three weeks to streamline matters.
The HC adjourned the case to June 13. “As far as compliances are concerned, the HC has granted municipalities and panchayats until June 12 to comply with its order,” advocate general Devidas Pangam told reporters after the hearing. “We have told the court that govt is going to take steps,” he said and added that meetings at the govt level on the issue are ongoing.
In its order last month, the HC observed that Goa’s fragile ecosystem ought to be protected and issued several directions to control the “menace” of illegal constructions across the state. The court directed the chief secretary to take action and make two additional demolition squads available for each district.
The HC observed that “wholesale change of the landscape in the state of Goa” has occurred because of “such wide and rampant illegal constructions without any authority of law” and that the time had come to curtail and remove the constructions. It issued notices to all panchayats and municipalities and directed them to submit a report of inspections conducted of illegal constructions.
