the goan I network
MAPUSA
Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral on Tuesday conceded that most demolition orders issued by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) could not be implemented due to inter-departmental fighting, but assured to talk to the chief minister and find a way out.
He said demolition orders on CRZ violations were not carried out by the GCZMA but executed through the office of the deputy collector.
“Most of the orders have remained pending because the deputy collector could not mobilize a force for demolition. I am looking into it. I will speak to the chief minister to find some other ways to execute the orders,” Cabral said.
“Most cases get delayed because of inter-departmental fighting. The parties also approach courts and bring a stay on the order,” he added.
The environment minister informed that a total of 235 demolition orders have been issued by the GCZMA from 2015 till date. He said 94 cases were pending in various courts, of which 58 were in NGT, 35 in high court and one in supreme court.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour, Congress MLA Digambar Kamat said that as per the information provided by the department, most of the cases of CRZ violations in 2015, 2016 and 2017 were awaiting compliance report.
“I can understand the delay in 2018 and 2019. But why is the department awaiting for compliance report for 2015, 2016 and 2017 despite demolition orders?” Kamat asked, adding, “The message should not go that compliance of an influential person does not happen and a poor person’s structure is demolished promptly. This is the worry.”
The environment minister said demolition orders were sent to deputy collector and due to lack of mobilization of force it gets stuck.
“The revenue department mobilizes the squad for demolition. But since the revenue department is busy because of elections or other work they are unable to give us the squad and we are unable to carry out demolition,” Cabral said. Cabral accepted the concerns of the opposition MLA and assured to seek CM’s help to find a solution on the issue.
