the goan I network
PANAJI
Operators of the Maharaja off-shore casino finally removed the controversial encroachment on the footpath near the Captain of Ports jetty in the city on Friday following instructions from Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Parrikar took cognizance of the matter and directed the Captain of Ports (CoP) to ensure removal of the encroachments within 48 hours, a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said, a day after the Aam Aadmi Party volunteers had stormed the site and forced the casino officials to dismantle the encroachment partly.
The Congress party too had demonstrated against the encroachment some days ago.
Casino Maharaja was served a show-cause notice by the Commissioner of the Corporation of the City of Panaji directing removal of the structure illegally occupying the footpath. The notice had given the operator a month’s time to clear the encroachment.
Meanwhile, social activist Kashinath Shetye and others had also filed a contempt petition in the Bombay High Court on Thursday against the CCP, Captain of Ports (CoP) and other authorities for having allowed the illegal encroachment on the footpath in the first place.
AAP’s Valmiki Naik, meanwhile, welcomed the quick removal of the illegal footpath construction by Casino Maharaja on Friday but claimed that the main structure and the raised foundation plinth still remained.
Naik said that the rest of the foothpath in front of Jamboree Cruises continued to be used illegally for parking and urged CCP, the traffic police and CoP to work together to restore the entire stretch.
Naik said AAP will also continue to pursue the complaint filed with the High Court to take cognisance of the gross contempt of the High Court judgement of the 1990s directing encumbrance free footpaths in the State.
It was necessary to unearth why the Casino had been able to erect a structure on the footpath in the first place, Naik added and sought a thorough investigation to pin responsibility for the lapse.
