Sets aside orders issued by deputy director of panchayats, BDO
Panaji : People opposing the Unity Mall project received a shot in the arm as the North Goa principal district and sessions court has quashed and set aside the construction licence issued to Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) for the controversial project in Chimbel.
The court also quashed and set aside the orders related to the project which were issued by the deputy director of panchayats and the block development officer (BDO).
An advocate representing the protestors welcomed the order and said, “We are extremely grateful to the principal district judge of North Goa. The court has quashed the construction licence issued by the secretary of the village panchayat of Chimbel as well as the orders of the BDO and the deputy director of panchayats. No activity can continue at the Unity Mall site as of today.”
Following the court order, no construction or related activity can be carried out at the project site as of now, the advocate reiterated.
Chairman of the Chimbel biodiversity management committee Govind Shirodkar said the court order is a relief but expressed caution.
“We will inform the protesters that the court has cancelled the construction licence. However, the struggle will continue,” he maintained, adding that an appeal from the state to the High Court is expected as part of the legal process.
While granting an interim stay, the court had noted that the construction is going on in full swing.
“The applicant raised serious contentions on the validity of the construction licence and permissions issued in favour of GTDC. In my considered opinion, GTDC is required to be stopped from doing further construction until the application for interim relief is decided on merits. No prejudice will be caused to GTDC,” the court said.
