Staff Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the village panchayats and the municipal councils in the state to file affidavits within one week detailing the action taken against illegal structures, particularly those obstructing roads, in compliance with its earlier order in suo motu public interest
litigation.
Some of the panchayats are yet to file their action-taken reports before the High Court.
The court also instructed the designated nodal officers to compile the action-taken reports submitted by the local bodies and file concise, consolidated reports before the court within four weeks. The High Court has appointed two nodal officers – deputy director of municipal administration and extension officer of the directorate of panchayats.
The directions were issued while monitoring compliance in the ongoing suo motu cognisance concerning unauthorised constructions and encroachments.
The High Court posted the matter for further hearing on April 6, when it will review the status of compliance and consider additional directions, if necessary.
The High Court said that the suo motu proceeding has been registered upon the court taking cognisance of the unchecked growth of illegal constructions in Goa, both, in urban areas as well as in areas governed by the village panchayats.
It may be noted that several orders have already been passed by the High Court from time to time to effectively address the issue.
