The High Court of Bombay at Goa has ordered the Goa State Coastal Zone Management Author ity (GCZMA) and the Director of Panchayats to decide on all pend ing show-cause notices against il legal constructions at Arambol in Pernem within six months. Hearing a suo motu PIL, the Court made it clear that village panchayat officials who fail to act against illegal constructions in their jurisdiction will face conse quences. In line with this direction, show cause notices have already been issued to owners of unauthorised buildings at Girkarwada, Arambol.
The Court further directed au thorities not to provide permanent water and electricity connections to these structures. It also re strained the village panchayat from issuing No-Objection Certificates (NoCs) to occupants of buildings that have not obtained Occupancy Certificates. Ordering prompt demolition of illegal constructions, the Court directed the State government to extend all necessary support to the panchayat.
The Directorate of Panchayats has also been told to initiate action, including disqual ification, against sarpanchas and members who consistently fail to act against violations. The Court observed that the method being adopted in Pernem could be replicated in other parts of the State facing similar issues. It noted that last year the then Arambol sarpanch was forced to resign and was subse quently disqualified by the Director of Panchayats. According to a report filed by the GCZMA, show-cause notices were issued to 217 structures in the area.