MARGAO: In a recent ruling by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has been fined Rs 10,000 for failing to comply with a directive issued by the Tribunal. The penalty was imposed by the Western Zone Bench in Pune, which convened for a physical hearing on May 29. The hearing was in connection with an ongoing case initiated by Sagardeep Sirsaikar against the GCZMA and other respondents.
The GCZMA’s defence counsel acknowledged that they had not met the deadline for making a decision within 30 days due to the burden of handling multiple High Court-monitored matters. They assured the Tribunal that a decision on the issue would be made by June 13. Additionally, the GCZMA revealed that an inspection of the contested site was scheduled for May 30, to determine whether the respondent had undertaken self-demolition as claimed.
The background to this case includes an earlier directive from the NGT on March 19 this year. This directive required the GCZMA to conclude and communicate their decision regarding a show cause notice issued to the respondents by September 14, 2023.
However, the tribunal bench found the GCZMA’s explanation for their delay insufficient and ‘not proper’. Consequently, the NGT has mandated that the GCZMA must reach a conclusion on the matter within the next month, contingent upon the payment of the Rs 10,000 fine to the NGT Bar Association within a week.
The Tribunal has scheduled the next hearing for August 7, to assess compliance and further progress in this case.
