Tribunal quashes directive of GCZMA

Terming violation of the principle of natural justice,
the National Green Tribunal has set aside the order of
Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) on the jetties project of Sesa Goa in the northern district of Goa.

It may be noted that in March 2011, GCZMA directed the company to stop all activity over the alleged illegal part of the jetties and to remove the unauthorised extended portions.

In its order the tribunal quashed the directive saying that it was violative of principles of natural justice. There has been denial of fair opportunity to the applicants (Sesa Goa and others). The principles of natural justice have been violated, the tribunal said.

It was found by the tribunal that GCZMA did not conduct an inspection to see if there was any unauthorised expansion of the jetties neither had it supplied to the company all the material it had relied upon to pass the March 2011 order.

GCZMA alleged the Vedanta Group firm and iron-ore miner to be illegally expanding the jetties for loading ore in the northern district of the state.

The NGT, however, granted liberty to GCZMA to commence its proceedings against the company from “the stage of show cause notice” and proceed thereafter in accordance with the directions given by the tribunal.