PANNEL TO SUGGEST STEPS AGAINST HILL CUTTING : ADVOCATE GENERAL

The state advocate general (AG) Subodh Kantak on Monday informed the high court of Bombay at Goa that a committee is being appointed by the government for suggesting measures to stop illegal hill cutting activities all over the state.
The AG made the statement during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by one Satish Benaulikar, who had complained about an illegal hill cutting in Siolim. The AG also submitted before the court an affidavit filed by the chief town planner (CTP) and prayed that the court may grant two weeks time in the matter. While granting the AG's prayer, a division bench comprising Justice V K Tahilramani and Justice N A Britto observed that the affidavit did not comply with an order passed by this court on January 5, 2009

"The problem is not only the hill cutting. The problem is more the inaction of the authorities concerned", the court observed. The bench further warned the government to take action against the erring officers as well as the private parties or face the consequences if action is not taken. On January 5 this year, the AG had told the court that appropriate steps will be taken against the erring officers and the private respondents in the case. The court had earlier issued directions to take action against the Town and Country Planning officials concerned as well as the violators.