HC directs coastal panchayats to expedite land acquisition

HC directs coastal panchayats to expedite land acquisition
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 18
The coastal village panchayats would no more be able to escape their civic responsibility of garbage collection and go on the alibi that they do not have a site.
The Bombay High Court at Goa on Wednesday issued a couple of interim directions to coastal panchayats, to ensure that they take their civic duties seriously, and expedite the land acquisition process for acquiring sites. The Court was hearing a suo motto writ petition on garbage.
The Division Bench of Justices P B Majumdar and U D Salvi directed the village panchayats that have selected the sites but do not have administrative approval, to submit their proposals with relevant documents, to the Department of Panchayat within a period of two weeks. The Director of Panchayat has to decide on the proposals within two weeks, Court ordered.
The Court issued the direction in view of submission made by Amicus Curiae Norma Alvares that of the 26 coastal panchayats, ten panchayats have acquired the sites, and have clearances from Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) as well Town and Country Planning department (TCP), but do not have administrative approval.
She insisted that coastal panchayats that generate high quantum of garbage due to big inflow of tourists, must have site for garbage disposal and treatment.
As a result, panchayats have not been able to begin the process of land acquisition for setting up sites for garbage treatment and disposal, she stated.
Meanwhile, all 26 panchayats will have to identify a place to compost bio-degradable waste and set up composting sites. They get six weeks to make the arrangements.
The GSPCB have been directed to inspect the sites thereafter and submit a report to the High Court.
They have been further directed to start collection of plastic litter in their jurisdiction and store it at a particular place.
Moreover, the authorities concerned have been instructed not to cause delay, and take decisions expeditiously before posting the hearing for April 20. A counsel representing one of the panchayats told the Court that sometimes work get delayed because files are held up at BDO level as panchayat has to have approval from BDO for incurring expenditure.