the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Town and Country Planning department and local panchayat came under fire at the gram sabha on Sunday for allegedly felicitating illegal constructions in Assagao.
A gram sabha member, Nelson Fernandes of Baddem pointed out that around 2 lakh sq mtrs of communidade land in Assagao has been cleared of forest trees reportedly for a multi-storied project.
“Assagao panchayat has recently floated a tender to build a 40-metre road leading to the property clearly indicating the panchayat is in cahoots with the builders and is felicitating the project,” Fernandes alleged.
Alluding to the charge made by Fernandes, another local, Olga Nato said as per information obtained through RTI, forest department had given no approvals for cutting of trees in Assagao in the last two years. “Contrary to the RTI information, there is rampant tree cutting going on and high-rise buildings are coming up in the village,” Nato said.
She alleged that all the building projects that were mushrooming in the village were illegal and blamed the TCP department and the panchayat for the mess.
“TCP department is issuing technical clearance to projects without even visiting or inspecting the sites and after TCP’s clearance, panchayat issues NOC to the project,” Nato said.
Fernandes alleged that a former sarpanch of the village had vested interest in the project that was coming up in Assagao.
Replying to the charge, Assagao Sarpanch Jallinder Gaonkar said the road work that was tendered was long overdue and it had been done by following proper procedure.
“We have nothing to do with the project. In order to clear the air, we will issue notices to the project proponent,” Gaonkar assured the gram sabha.
Assagao comunidade selling church property: Locals
MAPUSA: Villagers alleged that the office bearers of the Assagao comunidade have encroached on some church properties and had sold them illegally.
“A property in Baddem is registered in the name of Archdiocese of Goa. But a glance at the ongoing construction activity in the property, it appears the project does not belong to the Archdiocese,” Nelson Fernandes observed.
Locals alleged that a lot of property belonging to Baddem church has been encroached by the communidade and sold illegally. Another local, Hugo Nato, alleged that property belonging to St Ann chapel in Assagao has been encroached by the Assagao commuidade and the land has been sold to migrants.
