PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Friday asked the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) to file an affidavit within the next two weeks disclosing all details including the specifications of illegal hoardings.
During the hearing of suo motu writ petitions in the matter of illegal hoardings, Adv P Shirodkar, representing the MMC, sought further time to file a detailed affidavit disclosing the details of hoardings that are found legal as per the inquiry conducted by the Council. He submitted a list of 15 hoardings situated within the MMC’s jurisdiction that have been removed.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam submitted that 21 representations received by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) will be disposed of, in the next meeting scheduled by the end of this month. He said that thereafter decisions will be taken and minutes will be submitted to the Court.
AG Pangam further submitted that the Directorate of Panchayats is in the process of disposing of all the above appeals and sought more time preferably by the end of this month. Accordingly, the Court granted time to the GCZMA to decide objections raised by 21 parties and furnish its details on or before the next date of hearing on March 1.
Amicus curies Adv S D Lotlikar produced two photographs showing the hoardings illuminating out of which one is of Majestic Pride and next to it was of some advertisement. He stated that both these hoardings are not covered as per the earlier order and even an electricity connection is also provided for illuminating during the night.
Adv P Fadessai appearing for the Penha De Franca village panchayat said that the notice has been already issued to the hoarding agency/vendor showing Majestic Pride; however, the electricity connection has not been disconnected. Following this, the Court directed the Electricity Department as well as the Penha De Franca panchayat to immediately disconnect the power supply to such hoardings and to cover it with a cloth till the show the cause notices issued to them are disposed of.
