Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to frame a scheme for the meat/chicken vendors within next six months as an obligation cast on it till the new building is constructed. Also the CCP has been asked to submit the details of the new building with timeline for its completion within eight weeks.
The Court disposed of two writ petitions filed by Mushtak Hussain Khatib and eight others. These petitioners had prayed that the CCP Commissioner be directed to immediately de-seal their premises/shops so that they can carry out trade/occupation in the said premises and earn their livelihood pending the rehabilitation of the petitioners in the alternative premises.
They had also prayed that the CCP Commissioner be directed to draw a rehabilitation programme to rehabilitate the long-time lessees (30 years and more) fish, mutton, and beef vendors in any location in the Panjim municipal market pending the demolition of the fish market building and reconstruction of the same.
While disposing of writ petitions, the division bench comprising Justices M S Karnik and Valmiki Menezes had asked the CCP to place on record the decision taken as regards the construction of a new fish market building.
Petitioners counsels Adv Rohit Bras De Sa and Adv Abhay Nachinolkar had submitted that if the petitioners are rehabilitated, they are willing to pay fair rent as may be decided by the Corporation and will not insist for the payment in terms of rent prescribed by the lease. But the Court stated that though it was not possible for it to pass a blanket order directing the rehabilitation of the petitioners till the building is reconstructed, however, it found it appropriate to direct the Corporation to frame a scheme ensuring that obligation cast on it.
The Court has now asked the Corporation to place on record the decision taken as regards to the completion of the new building on or before December 18.