PANJIM: The Chief Judicial Magistrate has asked the Panjim police inspector to investigate whether the wine festival organised on Bandodkar ground was done so in violation of coastal regulation rules.
The wine festival was organised by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and it had given an undertaking to National Green Tribunal (NGT) to abide by the CRZ rules.
However, social activist Kashinath Shetye had complained to NGT that the organisers of the wine festival did not have clearance from Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
Following his complaint, the Tribunal had given sanction to prosecute, through Judicial Magistrate First Class, the person who had given the undertaking to NGT.
Consequently, the JMFC was moved which ordered the police to investigate and submit a report of its findings on September 1.
In December 2016, the GTDC filed an affidavit stating that no events would take place without the permission of GCZMA.
However, in April 2017, the GTDC despite of revocation of the NOC by GCZMA went ahead and organized the event stating the area is not falling under CRZ II. However, GCZMA says that the Dayanand Bandodkar ground falls under CRZ II and it needs permission.
