Panaji: The regulation of construction in the buffer zone of centrally-protected monuments in the state of Goa is in “jeopardy”, the Bombay high court observed, while giving the National Monuments Authority one last opportunity to respond to a PIL pertaining to unauthorised constructions in and around protected monuments. If no affidavit is filed, the high court will be constrained to direct the chairperson of the NMA to remain present in person to answer to the petition, it said.The high court had given the authority time in June and July to file its affidavit in reply to the PIL seeking formulation and preparation of draft site plans and draft heritage bylaws in respect of 21 centrally-protected monuments in Goa, including famous temples and churches.“However, till date, no affidavit has been filed, and the regulation of construction in the buffer zone, ie, prohibited and regulated areas around the centrally-protected monuments in the state of Goa, is in jeopardy,” said the division bench of justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar, which said it expects its direction to file an affidavit to be complied with.“Therefore, we grant this last opportunity to the NMA to file its affidavit on or before Sep 9.Similarly, it observed that the competent authority, Archaeological Survey of India, southern region, was supposed to draft heritage bylaws in terms of Section 20E of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.“However, till date, these bylaws have not been framed”, the court said, directing the regional director, ASI, southern region, to file its affidavit by Sep 9, failing which it will also be constrained to direct the regional director to remain personally present in court.
