Vijai leads charge over CRZ violations by hotels

PORVORIM: The construction of illegal hotels in the no-development zone of coastal Goa rocked the legislative assembly on Thursday, with opposition MLAs accusing the government of shielding the illegalities.
MLAs also accused the government for failing to ensure that accesses to public beaches are maintained for the benefit of local residents as hotels near the beaches block these traditional accesses, thereby inconveniencing local people.The issue erupted following a starred question by Fatorda independent MLA Vijai Sardesai to environment minister Alina Saldanha.
While pointing out that maximum CRZ violations are noticed in Morjim and Mandrem (in Pernem taluka), Sardesai made special mention of Hotel Blue Waves restaurant. Although demolition order has been issued against this hotel, it stills stands. Shown as a "tea stall" in records, Sardesai said the hotel has "21 pillars and marble flooring" which makes it "look like a Taj Mahal".
In her reply, the environment minister stated that Blue Waves was served a demolition notice by the Goa coastal zone management authority (GCZMA) on November 15, 2013, but the owners appealed to the National Green Tribunal, Delhi, which directed that status quo be maintained on the issue. Saldanha also disclosed that the hotel has shown a certificate from the village panchayat of Morjim showing that it was built prior to 1991 when the CRZ notification was first issued (Constructions in CRZ areas built prior to 1991 are exempted from penal action recommended in the notification). Saldanha said that the next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 4.
Sardesai also demanded to know whether a survey was carried out to check how many beach accesses were blocked by hotels in Goa. He alleged that there is a racket going on in the BDO's office in Pernem on this issue. Saldanha replied that the role of the GCZMA is limited to establishing whether something is illegal and that it cannot look into beach accesses. This is the responsibility of local panchayats and the tourism department, she said.
Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo also complained that village panchayats were colluding with hotels in violating the stipulation stated in the GCZMA permission that hotels have to maintain a six metre access to beaches. BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral and Congress MLA Digambar Kamat also complained about rampant CRZ violations in Goa.
With Sardesai accusing the government of shielding CRZ illegalities, the chief minister rose to his feet to state that the GCZMA is an independent and autonomous body appointed by the central government. The state government cannot issue directions to the GCZMA, Parrikar said.