TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday directed the Deputy Collector to demolish the illegal structure belonging to BJP leader Anil Hoble at Ribandar-Merces. NGT, on an application filed by social activists Kashinath Shetye and Ketan Govekar, directed that the structure, including restaurant and bar and allied structures, Merces be demolished and Hoble has been asked to pay Rs 20 lakh as compensation towards the cost of degradation of environment and violation of CRZ notification 1991, within a period of six weeks to the Environment department. He is also asked to pay Rs 5000 as litigation cost.
The illegal structure was inaugurated by then chief minister and present Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
The compliance report on the demolition has to be submitted to the tribunal within six weeks. “It is observed that originally there was no structure house/residential premise in survey No 65/1 prior to CRZ notification 1991. The subsequent construction in the area have been illegally constructed in violation of High Court order regarding CRZ notification,” the order issued by Justice V R Kingaonkar and Justice Ajay A Deshpande, stated.
“The illegal and unauthorized constructions are, therefore liable to be demolished as they are in violation of CRZ notifications,” NGT stated.
NGT also directed the GCZMA to enquire and act against illegal structures in the CRZ which have come up without following due procedures.
“The GCZMA, is directed to hold enquiry regarding all illegal structures in CRZ area about which permissions might have obtained without following due procedures and to take appropriate action against the violators of CRZ notifications 1991, 1994 and 2011,” the order reads.
