Illegal constructions in villages to face action

Panaji: In compliance with a recent order of the high court, the directorate of panchayats has issued instructions to village panchayats across Goa to identify and act against illegal constructions.
The directorate issued the instructions on March 19, but the relevant memorandum came to light only on Tuesday.
The directorate told panchayats, panchayat secretaries, and block development officers to take note of the high court order.
In its detailed March 6 order, the high court issued several directions to authorities as they go about removing illegal constructions and put measures in place. The court divided illegal constructions into several categories, requiring action from the civic bodies.
In the first category are illegal constructions on roadsides or major roads within municipal areas. The second category includes illegal constructions on roadsides or major roads within panchayat areas.
The third category involves illegal constructions in panchayat areas being used for commercial purposes.
The fourth category covers illegal constructions in municipal areas being used for commercial purposes, and the fifth category pertains to illegal constructions in paddy fields.