PERNEM: Locals of Mandrem, strongly questioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during a Lok Sabha BJP campaign meeting at Mandrem on Sunday, over the demolition of traditional fisherfolks’ houses at Arambol due to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations.
Some structures in Arambol have already been demolished while panchayat has issued notices to 125 more structures for demolition.
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During the meeting, Mandrem public shed light on the fact that the traditional fisher folk and toddy tappers were residing in the area much before the introduction of CRZ rule in 1991. The Government of India had issued a notification under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, administered by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to protect and conserve the environment and ecosystem on the coastline of the country.
“Our forefathers were living in the CRZ area, way before the CRZ regulations was brought into force. I was born here, my father, grandfather and his father were also born here. CRZ regulations came later. We were not aware of the CRZ regulations,” a local said.
The Chief Minister mentioned that he was unaware of the demolition issue, but was later informed that it was indeed the case by the local MLA Jit Arolkar.
“We are self-employed persons, which means that we are fully dependent on the fishing and toddy-tapping business. We never approached the government for jobs. Today we are facing this injustice from the government and we request the the government to give us a solution to this problem,” the local said, while addressing the event.
The locals requested the government to file an affidavit to draw an ordinance and regularize the plan.
While speaking to the public, CM also said that he would hold a meeting with a panel consisting of the panchayat body and other officials to find a solution to the CRZ demolition of houses case. Sawant, while addressing the grievances of the traditional fisher folks whose houses were demolished under CRZ rules, stated that the government is fighting ‘for’ the people and not ‘against’.
“I would like to stress that I have not given a solution in this matter, as it is there in the court right now. I will fight for you people. When the concerned Secretary passed the demolition notice I was unaware of it. That’s when the MLA told me about the issue. I will discuss this issue with the Sarpanch, the Secretary and the MLA,” CM Sawant said.
HC orders Arambol Panchayat to demolish 125 structures
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday directed the Arambol village panchayat to issue demolition orders to the owners/occupants of 125 illegal structures at Girkarwada, Arambol.
The Court’s directives came after the Arambol village panchayat informed the Court that the village panchayat had already passed a resolution to demolish 125 illegal constructions and will issue demolition order to them.
While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) suo motu regarding illegal and unauthorised constructions in Arambol, Adv Sajal Dhamija, representing the Electricity Department stated that the demolition works are almost complete and only some debris needs to be cleared. He stated that the Electricity Department has been given time to file the compliance report on April 19.
Adv Pavithran, counsel for the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) told the Court that out of the 216 structures inspected, in all 66 structures require consent to operate.
He submitted that 13 out of these 66 structures have produced consents to operate, while closure notices were issued to 53 structures and the same were sealed.
Arguing on behalf of the Arambol village panchayat Adv Deepak Gaonkar stated that the commercial establishments continue to be sealed. He informed the Court that out of the balance 91 structures, show cause notices have been issued to 21 structures and such show cause notices will be disposed of within next 30 days.
Regarding the balance structures, Adv Gaonkar stated that compliance report will be filed within 10 days indicating the course of action that will be adopted by the village panchayat.
Former Arambol Sarpanch and current panchayat member Bernard Fernandes and his family had demolished 10 temporary structures, while there are still 18 permanent structures belonging to the former sarpanch’s family. The Court said that it will hear over these 18 permanent structures on April 24.
