PANAJI: The Goa government has told the High Court of Bombay at Goa that the in-principle approval granted by the Goa Investment Promotion Board (IPB) on the basis of the impugned legislation does not, by itself, permit the private parties to obtain the statutory approvals from the concerned authorities including the local panchayats, town and country planning authority, etc, as such authorities have to independently examine the applications based on the relevant statutes.
The petitioner, the Pilerne Citizen Forum, through its secretary Aaron Paul Fernandes and others have filed the public interest litigation against the State of Goa and 11 others before the High Court.
Nigel Costa Frias, the counsel appearing for petitioner, has pointed out that based on the impugned legislation, the respondents – private parties are obtaining the in-principle approval and presenting their proposals before the statutory authorities, which are accordingly influenced to grant permissions under various regulations dealing with development, construction activities, planning etc.
The counsel of the petitioner further stated that in such circumstances, these authorities grant such approvals, based on the in-principle approval granted by the concerned authority under the impugned Act. He pleaded that it would be appropriate to stop granting further approvals by such concerned authority.
D Lawande, Advocate General, appearing for the State and its authorities pointed out that the in-principle approval granted by the concerned authority on the basis of the impugned legislation does not, by itself, permit the private parties to obtain the statutory approvals from the concerned authorities including the local panchayats, town and country planning authority, etc, as such authorities have to independently examine the applications based on the relevant Statutes.
Accepting the said statement of the AG, the bench consisting of Justice F M Reis and Nutan Sardesai said that at this stage, they find that the grievances of the petitioners stand presently redressed and granted time to file reply, which was sought by the respondents.