AFTER BIRCH FIRE FALLOUT...
MAPUSA
In the wake of heightened administrative scrutiny following the Birch by Romeo Lane fire tragedy, the State government appears to be tightening its vigilance over land-related irregularities.
The Administrator of Comunidades North, Pandurang Gad, has issued a show-cause notice to the Attorney of the Anjuna Comunidade, Sebastian D’Souza, for allegedly abusing his authority and illegally granting an irrevocable No Objection Certificate (NOC) for activities on land in Survey No 206/1.
The Administrator stated that his office had received a complaint alleging that activities were being undertaken on the comunidade-owned land without following mandatory legal procedures.
In his order, Gad directed that all alleged illegal activity in the survey area be halted immediately and summoned D’Souza to appear before him on December 18 with all relevant documents to explain why action should not be initiated against him.
The notice comes amid a spate of public protests in Anjuna, where residents have strongly opposed a proposed 10-metre road widening project by the Public Works Department (PWD) in Survey No 206/1.
Villagers maintain that the land belongs exclusively to the Anjuna Comunidade and accuse the attorney of falsely claiming ownership through a notarised affidavit to facilitate the NOC issued to the PWD.
Locals have also filed a police complaint against D’Souza, terming his actions a “criminal misuse of authority”.
They point out that Form I and XIV land records do not list the attorney as an occupant, reinforcing their claim of comunidade ownership.
They further argue that any NOC involving comunidade land requires approval through an Annual General Body Meeting (AGM), and the matter was not part of the agenda at the September 2024 AGM.
Residents allege that the proposed road widening serves the interests of commercial clubs and hotels in the vicinity rather than addressing community needs.
They fear that the development threatens the village’s character and could pave the way for further encroachment and commercial exploitation.
Led by gauncar Raphael Lobo, the villagers have vowed to continue resisting the project and demand strict action against what they describe as manipulation of comunidade land for private commercial gain.
As tensions rise, the investigation by the Administrator of Comunidades is now being closely watched by locals seeking accountability and protection of traditional comunidade assets.
