MLA Viresh Borkar Demands Immediate Action on Illegal Huts in Curca Following High Court Order
CURCA, GOA | May 5, 2025 – In a strongly worded memorandum addressed to the Director of Panchayats, Viresh Borkar, MLA of St. Andre Constituency, has demanded urgent compliance with a recent High Court order directing the demolition of illegal huts in Survey No. 48/2 of Curca Village, located near the Bambolim Military Camp.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa, in PIL (Suo Motu) No. 3 of 2024, issued an order on March 6, 2025, mandating the demolition of all illegal structures within 30 days and requiring submission of a compliance affidavit with photographic evidence. The Court further warned that failure to act would invite disciplinary action against responsible government officials.
Viresh Borkar, a member of various legislative committees including the Public Accounts Committee, Budget Committee, and Committee on Public Undertakings, has criticized the repeated inaction of the Village Panchayat of Curca, Bambolim & Talaulim, the Block Development Officer (BDO), and the Directorate of Panchayats, despite several demolition notices and complaints going back over two decades.
Long History of Non-Compliance
According to Borkar, the matter dates back to 2002, when the Panchayat issued its first demolition order under Section 66(3) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, through Notice No. VP/CBT/2002-03/251 dated 09-07-2002. Further directives from the Deputy Director of Panchayats (North Goa) in Case No. DDPN/CURCA/TIS/18/02/7482 also went unheeded.
Multiple show cause notices, including VP/CBT/2001-02/663 dated 07-03-2002, were served to the inhabitants of illegal huts, but no response or compliance followed. Subsequent communications, such as the BDO memorandum dated 26/06/2003 (No. 3/VPT/BDO-TIS/CURCA-BAM-TAL/2003/1333), also failed to trigger enforcement action, despite numerous public complaints about illegal activities and proximity to religious sites.
“The inaction over the years has not only enabled illegal encroachments to persist but also raises serious questions about governance and accountability,” stated Borkar in his memorandum.
High Court Sets a Strict Deadline
With the High Court setting a compliance deadline in April 2025, Borkar emphasized the need for immediate demolition of the illegal huts, calling on the Directorate of Panchayats to not only act on the court’s directive but also investigate and fix accountability for the prolonged negligence by various administrative departments.
He further urged the submission of a compliance report to the High Court before the next hearing on April 15, 2025, warning that any delay could amount to contempt of court.
Borkar’s appeal underscores the long-standing failure of local bodies to uphold zoning regulations and enforce legal orders. The situation now lies in the hands of the Directorate of Panchayats to prevent further administrative embarrassment and judicial contempt.
