Law catches up with Lobo

n GCZMA orders demolition of one block of Nazri Resorts co-owned by Lobo at Baga-Calangute n Land to be restored to original condition

| JULY 15, 2018, 04:35 AM IST

the goan I network

PANAJI 

Deputy Speaker and Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo, has found himself in serious trouble with Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) ordering the demolition of one of the three ground-plus four blocks of Nazri Resorts at Baga-Calangute in which he is a partner.  

Lobo, who is also the chairman of the North Goa Planning and Development Authority, had himself appeared in person as respondent in the matter before the GCZMA, the last hearing of which was held in June this year.  

The NGPDA, which Lobo presides over, is a crucial authority responsible to clear construction and property development plans. Recently, the State government had extended its jurisdiction to cover his Calangute and other coastal areas of Bardez, where frenzied construction activity over the years has changed the landscape completely.  

Social activist, Kashinath Shetye, who is the complainant claimed that the permission used by Lobo’s Elite Builders for the structure was forged. Shetye said in the proceedings before GCZMA, that the construction falls within Coastal Regulation Zone and violated environmental laws.  

In the final proceeding held on June 26 this year, Shetye told the GCZMA that the permission granted by the Authority’s previous member-secretary was forged.   

The defence put forth by Lobo, who appeared in person as respondent, was that the structure was beyond 500 metres from the High Tide Line and therefore did not attract the provisions of the CRZ laws.  

The GCZMA, however found merit in Shetye’s argument that the letter granting permissions was forged as it did not find any record of it in their files. The forgery had also been asked to be investigated by the Crime Branch of the Goa Police, by the then member-secretary in 2009.  

The authority also found no merit in Lobo’s claim that the structure was beyond 500 metres of the HTL, based on the mapping of the area done by it on directions of the Bombay High Court in 2009.  

Order contradictory, will file appeal: Lobo      
PANAJI: Stating that GCZMA was contradicting its own  earlier order, Deputy Speaker and Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo said he  will appeal against the present order.  
“In 2009 the GCZMA had passed a similar order asking us to  demolish the entire hotel. Earlier we were also dragged to the High  Court on the same issue where the petition was dismissed,” Lobo said.  Lobo informed that Nazri Hotel consists of three blocks and he is one of  the three partners who own the hotel.  
He said the only good thing coming out of the current order  is that the GCZMA has cleared two blocks but wants the third block to  be demolished, which according to them comes under CRZ.  
“Earlier they said the entire hotel was in CRZ. And now  they are saying only one block is in CRZ. How can the same authority  take so many stands? I will appeal against the order with the GCZMA,”  the Calangute MLA said. He further said if his hotel has to be  demolished then many more hotels will meet the same fate, as they are  much closer to the CRZ line.
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