Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, Apr 25: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured on Thursday that a solution for the regularization of irregular constructions in Goa would be arrived at soon. His statement came after a high-level meeting with Revenue Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate and other revenue department officials to address the growing issue of illegal constructions in the state, especially in light of recent high court directives.

The Chief Minister stated that the government is working on a final plan to provide much-needed relief to those affected by the issue. He assured that instructions would be sent to panchayats within the next two days on how to identify encroachments in the state.

“We have initiated preliminary discussions regarding the issue. Communidade land and the court’s directives regarding encroachments are central to the conversation,” Sawant said, referring to the high court’s recent verdict.

In a scathing critique, the Goa High Court had condemned the state government for its lax approach towards unregulated and illegal constructions. The court issued strict directives, including the requirement for geo-mapping of all structures within a year to prevent unauthorized constructions from being falsely deemed as old. Additionally, the court ordered municipal engineers and panchayat secretaries to conduct monthly surveys of illegal structures and submit reports to the concerned chief officers, who are tasked with taking necessary actions.

The high court also mandated that notices be issued to violators, giving them 15 days to demolish illegal structures or face removal by the authorities. This decision is part of the court’s broader push to curb illegal development in the state.

The Goa government has expressed its commitment to resolving the matter efficiently and providing fair solutions for the residents involved.