MARGAO: The Division Bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa comprising Justice Nitin M. Jamdar and Justice Prithviraj K. Chavan on 24th September, 2018 issued notice on quo-warranto petition filed by Mr. Edwin Mascarenhas from Chicalim challenging the appointment of Mr. Rajesh Naik, Chief Town Planner (Planning) as the Chairman of MPDA.
Shri C. A. Ferreira appearing for Mr. Mascarenhas contended that the MPDA is required to be a multi-membered body but since April 2017 for 9 months it was being run alone by the Member Secretary Ms. Vertika Dagur and since January 2018 by her and Mr. Rajesh Naik which he claimed was illegal without due constitution of the PDA. He also stated that the petition also sought a mandamus for due constitution of the PDA. The Court has directed a reply to be filed by 8th October 2018 and posted the matter for hearing on 15th October 2018. Advocate General D. Lawande appeared for the State and Advocate Menino Pereira appeared for MPDA and Ms. Vertika Dagur.
Speaking to Herald Mascarenhas added that the MPDA has been dishing out permissions by disregarding the law. “The permissions granted by the two officials in the last many months are illegal. Our city is facing problems because of haphazard planning and development and the actions of the officers are going to make the situation worse. I seek justice for the sake of our historic city which was once the best planned city in Goa”, he said.
