MARGAO: Offering much relief to the agitating locals of Cansaulim, Arrosim and Cuelim, the Additional District and Sessions Judge P V Sawaikar dismissed the plea of Competent Automobiles to vacate the interim stay on the order of additional director, which directed the Cansaulim panchayat secretary to grant construction licence to Competent Automobiles for a starred hotel at Arossim beach.
Now the court will hear arguments to decide the matter on merits, on September 1.
It is instructive that opposed by villagers, Cansaulim panchayat refused to grant licence for a 226- roomed starred hotel resort proposed by Competent Automobiles and franchised to the Sheraton Hotels. However, Additional Director of Panchayat Gopal Parsekar, in an order, directed the panchayat Secretary, Kiran Mesta, to grant construction licence within seven days. Against this order, the Cansaulim panchayat and villagers filed a civil revision application along with an application for interim stay on the order of the additional director of panchayat. Competent Automobiles pleaded for vacating the interim stay, but it was dismissed.
In his order, Judge P V Sawaikar said that “the ultimate conclusion is therefore, that this revision against the impugned order is maintainable. As discussed hereinabove, the petitioner has prayed for vacating of the ad-interim relief on the sole ground that the revision petition itself is not maintainable and therefore no interim relief should have been granted. Since the contention of the petitioner is not sustainable, the interim relief shall continue till disposal of the petition on merits.”
It instructive that in mid-July, the Bombay High Court in Goa dismissed the writ petition filed by Competent Automobiles Company Pvt Ltd challenging the July 1 order of the South Goa District Court.
It is to be noted that Cansaulim panchayat and gram sabha had unanimously resolved to oppose the proposed Mega Hotel at Arrosim beach as it would destroy the Sand dunes and a singular ecosystem existing in a highly eco-fragile area.
