Goa High Court Appoints Officers to Examine Illegal Structures Compliance
The High Court of Goa has taken a decisive step in addressing the issue of illegal structures across the state. In a suo motu petition, the court has appointed two nodal officers to analyze compliance reports submitted by local bodies. This move aims to ensure that orders regarding illegal constructions are properly followed.
Nodal Officers to Scrutinize Voluminous Reports
The court appointed a deputy director of municipal administration and an extension officer from the directorate of panchayats as nodal officers. Their primary task involves examining reports from municipalities and panchayats. These reports detail compliance with court directives on illegal structures.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam explained the necessity of this appointment. He stated that the compliance reports from panchayats and municipalities are exceptionally voluminous. The court sought suggestions for government officers who could analyze these documents efficiently.
"We suggested the deputy director of municipal administration to analyze reports of the Corporation of the City of Panaji and municipalities," Pangam said. "The extension officer from the directorate of panchayats will analyze reports from all panchayats."
This structured approach ensures a thorough review of compliance across different levels of local governance.
State Submits Affidavit on Regularization of Residential Structures
In a related development, the state government submitted an affidavit to the High Court. This document addresses the regularization of residential structures that meet specific criteria. The affidavit outlines the legal framework for this process.
Pangam clarified the state's position to the court. He mentioned that a law was passed in the legislative assembly. This law allows for the regularization of residential structures built by a particular date. However, certain domicile requirements must be satisfied for eligibility.
The state emphasized that these statutes protect residential structures providing shelter to people. Commercial structures are explicitly excluded from this protection. The government produced these statutes before the court to support its submission.
"We told the court that residential structures which give shelter to people are protected by these statutes," Pangam stated. "Commercial structures are not included under this regularization provision."
This distinction aims to balance legal compliance with humanitarian considerations for housing.
Focus on Compliance and Legal Clarity
The appointment of nodal officers and the submission of the affidavit represent a dual approach. On one hand, the court seeks to enforce compliance through detailed analysis of reports. On the other hand, the state provides clarity on legal provisions for regularizing certain structures.
This ongoing case highlights the complexities of managing urban and rural development in Goa. The High Court's proactive measures aim to bring order to the process of addressing illegal constructions. Meanwhile, the state's affidavit offers a pathway for regularizing eligible residential buildings.
Both actions underscore a commitment to upholding the law while considering the practical needs of residents. The scrutiny by nodal officers will likely lead to more accountable governance at the local level. Simultaneously, the regularization process may provide relief to homeowners meeting the specified criteria.
