Calangute: Tourism-related businesses in the Anjuna-Vagator-Chapora belt were shut on Monday in solidarity with the bandh called to protest against the recent order of the Bombay high court at Goa.
The court had directed authorities to seal 175 structures for CRZ violations.
No untoward incidents were reported during the bandh.
Protesters gathered at the Starco junction, where they were addressed by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira, Private Shack Owners’ Association president Dharmesh Saglani, among others.Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo was also present.
The Calangute MLA said the HC order needs to be respected until some solution can be arrived at. He also said that CM Pramod Sawant has convened a meeting, most probably on Tuesday, to discuss the issue.
Following the assurance, the organisers of the protest told people in Anjuna-Caisua to resume their business activities from Tuesday.
Ferreira said that as per the CRZ 2011 notification, people living in the coastal belt within CRZ areas are permitted to build structures, but those structures cannot be used for commercial purposes. “We have urged govt to correct this,” he said, adding, “The HC cannot be faulted, it is following the law.”
Ferreira said the beach shacks, that figure in the list of 175 structures despite having permissions, seem to have been included by mistake. “You have to approach the court with your documents and the court will modify its order,” the MLA said.
Michael Lobo said that the only permanent solution is to amend the CRZ rules. “Nowhere does it mention in the CRZ rules that a guesthouse built next to your house within CRZ is legal. We want this changed,” he said.
Lobo also said that he would discuss with govt if an ordinance can be brought to allow existing structures of coastal communities to conduct commercial activities as many of them have various other permissions proving their legality.
The court had directed authorities to seal 175 structures for CRZ violations.
No untoward incidents were reported during the bandh.
Protesters gathered at the Starco junction, where they were addressed by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira, Private Shack Owners’ Association president Dharmesh Saglani, among others.Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo was also present.
The Calangute MLA said the HC order needs to be respected until some solution can be arrived at. He also said that CM Pramod Sawant has convened a meeting, most probably on Tuesday, to discuss the issue.
Following the assurance, the organisers of the protest told people in Anjuna-Caisua to resume their business activities from Tuesday.
Ferreira said that as per the CRZ 2011 notification, people living in the coastal belt within CRZ areas are permitted to build structures, but those structures cannot be used for commercial purposes. “We have urged govt to correct this,” he said, adding, “The HC cannot be faulted, it is following the law.”
Ferreira said the beach shacks, that figure in the list of 175 structures despite having permissions, seem to have been included by mistake. “You have to approach the court with your documents and the court will modify its order,” the MLA said.
Michael Lobo said that the only permanent solution is to amend the CRZ rules. “Nowhere does it mention in the CRZ rules that a guesthouse built next to your house within CRZ is legal. We want this changed,” he said.
Lobo also said that he would discuss with govt if an ordinance can be brought to allow existing structures of coastal communities to conduct commercial activities as many of them have various other permissions proving their legality.