Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Bombay High Court at Goa has dismissed a petition filed by activists seeking an inquiry into alleged losses in the assessment of fees in 120 cases under Section 17(2) of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, noting that an inquiry is already in progress to recover the deficit fees.
The petitioners—Swapnesh Sherlekar, Jose Carlos Da Veiga Gracias, and Rupesh Shinkre—had requested the court to quash the assessment order dated June 11, 2024, and sought recovery of outstanding fees from Brahm Agro Terra Projects Ltd and the then Chief Town Planner, Rajesh Naik. However, this order was later superseded by a notification on March 28, 2024, which revised the fee rates to ₹1,000 per sq. m for areas between 2,001 and 20,000 sq. m, and proportionally higher for areas above 20,001 sq. m.
Senior Counsel Narichania informed the court that the government had reviewed 47 files submitted by the TCP Department. Of these, 32 assessees had paid the revised fees, while 14 were given a week to settle their deficits, failing which their permissions would be revoked. Permission for Brahm Agro Terra Projects Ltd had already been cancelled after it failed to pay the revised fees.
The Vigilance Department also examined 46 files related to zone correction applications, ensuring fees aligned with the revised rates, while 54 additional files remain under scrutiny, with a detailed report to be submitted in a sealed envelope. The court noted the Vigilance Director’s report dated April 17, 2025, and allowed petitioners’ counsel to inspect the preliminary inquiry.
Representing the State, Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond stated that out of 47 cases, 40 assessees had paid the deficit fees, while permissions were cancelled for seven who did not comply. Observing that no public revenue had been lost, the court disposed of the petition.
