After attempting to curb the loud music that keeps tourists away, and sealing illegal structures that give Goa’s tourism a bad name, the High Court of Bombay at Goa is now trying to spruce up fishing jetties in the State. On finding the joint inspection report, submitted by Director of Fisheries, Shamila Monteiro, vague, the High Court assigned responsibilities to the 12 government departments involved in keeping the six jetties in Goa public-friendly.
The issue arose when, in 1999, Dr Silvano Sapeco along with his family suffered injuries after they slipped on sludge water released by vehicles, transporting fish from Malim jetty. A complaint was, thereafter, filed at the Malim Police station. With no action forthcoming, Sapeco started proceedings with the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Mapusa. The High Court took cognisance of the matter in 2000, and passed an order, also making it binding on the other five jetties – Chapora, Cortalim, Khariwada Vasco, Cutbona Betul and Talpona Cancona.
“Observing the administrative impotence of the twelve government authorities, a joint inspection report was held on April 18, 2024 and placed before the High Court thereafter,” stated Sapeco. Finding that the recommendations, made in the report, were vague and that none of the departments/agencies involved were willing to assume any responsibility, the High Court has instructed that a nodal officer be appointed, and that a timeline be set for the recommendations to be complied.
After having appointed the Director of Fisheries as nodal officer, Justice MS Sonak and Justice Valmiki Menezes earmarked responsibilities to each department, stating that they would “not appreciate the Director of Fisheries passing the buck to the other agencies or complaining that the other agencies were not very cooperative.” The joint inspection report submitted to the High Court agreed to collectively help in maintaining cleanliness in and around the Malim jetty premises, control traffic congestion and remove unauthorized vehicles/kiosks, and assigned responsibility to eight government departments to meet this end.
In its order, the judges spelt the importance of keeping a vigil on fish water spilling on roads and its after effects to the public. “Spillage is a serious issue because there are accidents caused by such spillage, not to mention unhygienic conditions that such spillage invariably generates. The Director of Fisheries should coordinate with the RTO and the Police department to ensure this recommendation is complied with in letter and spirit,” the order states. “If the RTO and Police department are not cooperating, then the Director of Fisheries must bring this fact to the notice of this Court by filing an appropriate application,” the order adds.
The bench also found the manner in which unauthorised structures were being dealt, confusing and ordered that notices be issued in two weeks to start the process of removing illegal kiosks or gaddas. “We have to abide by the orders of the High Court. I have yet to see the order, but once I do, necessary action will be initiated,” stated Monteiro. “It has taken 24 years to reach this stage, and that shows the intention of the authorities. Goa is lucky to have a proactive High Court,” concluded Sapeco who believes every human has a right to health and safety.