Observing that violations in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas cannot be without the support of the local village panchayats, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has directed the Director of Panchayat to initiate disciplinary action against secretaries of coastal panchayats for their connivance with the violators of environmental laws. The Director of Panchayats has also been asked to direct the secretaries to initiate action under the Panchayat Raj Act against all temporary structures operational without permission by April 30. The directions are issued in the matter related to illegal erection and operation of temporary seasonal structures in private properties along the coastal belt. It was the general opinion of the members of this Authority that such violations in CRZ cannot be without the support and connivance of the concerned coastal village panchayats especially the secretary of such coastal panchayats, the minutes of the GCZMA meeting read. It is very clear that no construction, temporary or permanent, can be put up within CRZ area, without obtaining prior permission/NOC of the GCZMA. Any permission/NOC/licenses conditional or otherwise, repair, reconstruction construction by the local authority without prior permission of the GCZMA is bad in law and violation of CRZ Notification, it added. In view of the observation, GCZMA issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 to Director of Panchayat to ensure that the secretary of the respective coastal panchayat initiates action under the Panchayat Raj Act against all the temporary structures within their respective jurisdiction except those who have applied for permission before GCZMA on or before February 28, 2018, by April 30, 2018. The Director of Panchayat should initiate disciplinary action against the concerned Secretaries of Coastal Village Panchayats for inaction against the violators of environmental law, it said.