Goa minister seeks withdrawal of Navy NOC circular

Goa Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai on Wednesday warned his own government of backlash if a circular about obtaining the Navy's NOC for new construction near the airport was not withdrawn.

The South Goa district administration issued a circular last year making it mandatory to seek the Navy's No Objection Certificate for any new construction within a 20-km radius of the Goa Airport.

The lone airport in the coastal state is part of INS Hansa, a naval base.

Speaking in Margao town, the minister pointed out that the collector who issued the circular has been transferred.

"I am cautioning the government. A new district collector has been appointed. Within seven days he should give clarification on the order of his predecessor," said Sardesai, leader of the Goa Forward Party, a BJP ally.

"If the circular is not withdrawn, the government should be ready to face backlash from the people," he said.

The issue was recently discussed at a meeting of the Town and ...