Refusing to grant any relief, the local authorities today directed a Goa BJP leader to pay within 48 hours a fine of Rs 20 lakh imposed on him by the National Green Tribunal for destruction of mangroves along Mandovi river.
The NGT had issued the order against state BJP Vice President Anil Hoble on May 29 for the violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules.
Rejecting Hoble's plea that the recovery proceedings be kept on hold till the NGT took a decision on his review petition, Panaji Mamlatdar (Revenue Official) Veera Nayak in her notice today said she hadn't obtained stay to the tribunal's order.
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If the fine amount was not deposited with Coastal Zone Management Authority within 48 hours, necessary legal action will be taken, the notice said.
The NGT had ordered demolition of several illegal structures owned by Hoble, including a bar and restaurant, along the Ribandar-Panaji causeway for violating environmental laws and rules.
The tribunal also asked him to pay a fine of Rs 20 lakh within six weeks for destroying mangroves and carrying out illegal land filling.
The Bombay High Court dismissed his petition seeking a stay. He then filed two petitions before the Supreme Court.
The apex court dismissed the first petition; Hoble then withdrew the second one.
As he didn't pay the fine, GCZMA issued a letter to the deputy collector (Panaji) yesterday, asking him to recover the fine.
