CM: Soon, govt ordinance or bill to regularise ‘irregular’ houses | Goa News

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday, making a distinction between irregular and illegal structures, said that govt will bring an ordinance or a bill to regularise the former, but action will be taken against the latter as stipulated by the high court.
Sawant held a review meeting with revenue minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, panchayat minister Mauvin Godinho, and govt officers. This is the second meeting within a fortnight to decide on the action on illegal constructions in the state.
“Henceforth, nobody will be allowed to do anything illegal in the state, and for that, both collectors will act,” Sawant said. “Govt is in favour of regularising structures that are irregular, which have come up on comunidade or private land.”
However, he added, “We will comply with the direction of the high court. We are ready to act against totally illegal structures in the state.”
Speaking on encroachments on land acquired by govt for roads, Sawant said, “Structures which have come up on land acquired for road widening should be removed by their owners voluntarily.”
He added, “I have told officers to remove the structures which have come up on such land.”
In compliance with a recent order of the HC, the directorate of panchayats has issued instructions to panchayats across Goa to identify and act against illegal constructions.
After the directorate identified the illegal constructions, Sawant made a statement on the floor of the House during the budget session. “In compliance, some authorities have initiated certain steps,” Sawant said in his speech. “At this juncture, I would like to point out here that there is no need for the law-abiding general public to panic, and we need to make a distinction between illegal and irregular constructions.”
He had added, “We are examining the order and further, wherever required, we will explore the possibility of bringing law or legislation to protect the rights of affected people, if felt necessary.”