Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jul 27: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Village Panchayat of Poinguinim and the Deputy Collector of Canacona to take prompt and appropriate action on complaints of illegal construction within a designated No Development Zone (NDZ) in the coastal village. The Panchayat has been given a four-week deadline to act.
The directive came while disposing of a writ petition filed by Canacona resident Jaimala Naresh Pai, who alleged that certain individuals had undertaken unauthorized construction activities on paddy fields falling within a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), in clear violation of building rules and without mandatory permissions from competent authorities.
According to the petitioner, repeated complaints were made to the authorities but failed to elicit any response, prompting her to seek judicial intervention. “The construction is in blatant violation of CRZ norms and building regulations. No action was taken despite several representations,” she stated.
The Additional Government Advocate representing the Deputy Collector informed the Court that action had been initiated through a show cause notice to the alleged violator and assured that the matter would be taken to its logical conclusion. The Court recorded this assurance, stating it expects full compliance from the Deputy Collector.
However, the Division Bench of Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Nivedita Mehta expressed displeasure over the inaction of the Poinguinim Village Panchayat. The Court noted that the petitioner had first raised the issue with the Panchayat on February 28, 2025, but no steps were taken since.
Though refraining from issuing a formal notice to the Panchayat at this stage, the Bench directed it to act immediately on the complaint. The Court also warned that failure to take action within four weeks from the date of the order would result in “stringent measures” against the Panchayat.
The petitioner has been granted liberty to return to the Court if authorities continue to remain inactive.