Goa, Dec. 30 -- VITHALDAS HEGDE

Indicting govern ment authorities for serious lapses, statutory violations and deliberate dilution of court directions, the amicus curiae appointed by the High Court has held that the dev astating fire tragedy at Birch by Romeo Lane, Arpora - where 25 persons lost their lives on December 7 - was the direct result of systemic non-enforcement of building, planning and safety laws. The tragedy primar ily occurred due to an abdication of statuto ry duties and failure to enforce key legislations, including the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Act, 2008 and Rules, 2010; the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, 1974; the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994; and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations. Sta...