The Bombay High Court has sought a response from the Goa government and the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department in three petitions challenging the government's decision to withdraw permissions granted under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act in the St Andre constituency.
Petitions Filed by Dempo Properties
The petitions, filed by Dempo Properties and Investments Pvt Ltd through its director Yogish Dempo, contend that they received provisional approval for change of zone of their lands under Section 39A. According to the petitioners, the permissions were withdrawn following pressure from public protestors, without any prior notice or an opportunity to be heard.
Background of the Controversy
On February 26, the state government handed over an order from the TCP department stating that provisional and final land conversions under Section 39A in St Andre constituency were suspended with immediate effect. This action was taken to end the hunger strike by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar and widespread protests by Goans opposing land conversions under Section 39A.
The high court will hear the case on June 17.
