PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday issued directions to the Bardez Deputy Collector to initiate action against illegal land conversions while, the Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat was asked to take action against illegal constructions in the village within next three months.
The Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by two lawyers Chahit Bansal and Navkaran Singh both from Assagao, against rampant illegal constructions in the Arpora-Nagoa village.
The Court also directed the Water Resources Department (WRD) to initiate action against illegal bore wells as per the Groundwater Act 2002 while, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department was also directed to take action against the illegal filling of low lying areas as per the Goa TCP Act 1974 and Rules 1976.
Earlier, following a complaint by both the petitioners, the Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat had issued show cause notices to 45 illegal structures both residential and commercial under Section 64 (J) and 82 of Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. The panchayat has completed site inspection of all the structures and the action is awaited.
Arguing on behalf of the petitioners, Adv Rohit Bras De Sa sought directions to the State authorities to hold site inspections to verify the facts and to initiate appropriate measures under Section 31 and 33 of the Goa Land Revenue Code 1968 and to restore the land to its original by demolishing the unauthorised development under Section 66 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994.
Adv De Sa further sought directions to the concerned authorities to initiate criminal proceedings by lodging an FIR against the violators under Section 17 B of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act 1974 and Rules 1976.
The petitioners have stated that unplanned development will resultin haphazard urban or industrial growth. It could also cause traffic accidents and injuries due to congested and poorly designed road systems and also lead toinfrastructure failures, the duo stated.
