VASCO: In a temporary relief to occupants of hutments at Katem Baina that were due to be demolished by the State administration after August 17, the High Court of Bombay at Goa directed Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and other respondents to maintain a status quo on the subject till August 18 2016.
In another hearing in the Pune bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), in a petition filed by Zaheera Bi Shaikh versus GCZMA and others, the tribunal too directed GCZMA not to enforce the demolition order till the next date of hearing on September 22.
According to information, a writ petition was filed before the high court by Esperance Gurjao, her son Constancio Rodrigues and 60 other fishermen. On hearing arguments on the petition on Thursday, Justice F M Reis and Justice Nutan D Sardessai directed that notices be issued before admission to the respondents, returnable on August 18. The order further states, “Until the returnable dates (August 18) the parties to maintain status quo with regards to subject structures.”
Similarly another group of ten people from Katem Baina had approached the NGT Pune bench with an appeal seeking interim relief from demolition of their structures. The matter was heard on Thursday and the appeal admitted.
Hearing the matter, the NGT was satisfied that the matter requires consideration and directed that notices be issued to the respondents on the main appeal as also interim relief sought. The order further directed the appellant to implead complainant at whose instance GCZMA has initiated inquiry.
The appellants counsel was also directed to furnish copies of the entire set of appeal memo to the counsel.
“As regards interim order is concerned, though learned counsel for GCZMA opposes grant of interim relief, but considering impending, danger/threat of demolition held in the impugned order, we direct GCZMA not to enforce the order to the extent it directs demolition till the next date of hearing. At the same time, we bind the appellant also with the direction not to alter, add, and modify existing structure. GCZMA may file counter during this period after serving copy to the appellant, who may file rejoinder, if any before date of hearing on September 22, 2016,” the NGT order states.
