Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In the suo motu PIL concerning illegal structures in Goa, the High Court has come down heavily on village panchayats for failing to submit compliance reports as directed earlier, and has ordered disciplinary action against erring officials.
Taking serious note of the lapse, the Court directed an inquiry and called for appropriate disciplinary action under service rules against panchayat secretaries for dereliction of duty. The action pertains to their failure to file compliance reports as mandated by the High Court in its order dated March 6, 2025.
During the hearing, the Division Bench of Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Amit Jamsandekar observed that while several village panchayats (VPs) and municipal councils had submitted compliance affidavits, many had failed to do so within the stipulated time.
“…The VPs and municipal councils have filed the affidavits on the compliance. Many VPs and municipal councils are yet to do so. The time permitted by the court for filing the reply/affidavit has expired. We direct the remaining shall file within a week from today by furnishing a copy of the same to Amicus Curiae and respective nodal officers,” the Bench stated.
The Court further directed the two designated Nodal Officers to scrutinise the affidavits received from the local bodies and submit their reports within four weeks. “On receipt of this, the two nodal officers shall examine this and file a report within four weeks as per the direction,” the Bench ordered.
The directions were issued while monitoring compliance in the ongoing PIL concerning unauthorised constructions and encroachments affecting public roads and safety.
