THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
In a sharp political and legal escalation over the Chicolna Communidade land controversy, Attorney Mahendra Salkar on Wednesday issued a legal notice to South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes, threatening a defamation suit if an unconditional apology is not rendered within eight days.
Addressing the media, Salkar refuted allegations made by the Congress MP regarding the alleged transfer of prime Communidade land, accusing the opposition party of spreading falsehoods and misinformation for political publicity.
The controversy follows recent statements by Fernandes and two supporters, claiming Salkar was involved in giving away 6,500 square metres of prime Communidade land to a metal company owned by a prominent industrialist in Vasco.
Dismissing the claims as false, Salkar said he had no authority to hand over land arbitrarily. “A few days ago, news appeared wherein South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes along with his two supporters claimed that I was involved in giving away a prime Communidade land of 6,500 square meters to a metal company owned by a prominent industrialist in Vasco. This is not true, and I cannot give away any land free because the property does not belong to my father,” he said.
Citing his record of protecting Communidade property, Salkar said, “In the past, when the government asked me for one lakh square meters of land for some project, I did not give and told them to do whatever they want.”
Salkar said he had served as Attorney of the Chicolna Communidade since 2007 and had been directly elected by its members multiple times. “There are a few people who may have asked Viriato Fernandes to make such a statement against me because this Chicolna Communidade has been under me for the last 15 years, and I don't allow nonsense to happen there,” he said.
Defending the Communidade’s financial health, Salkar said members receive dividends of Rs 1 lakh, which he claimed no other Communidade provides. He said shares once priced at Rs 20,000 are now valued at Rs 25 lakh, while plots are allotted to members as per government rules and regulations.
Salkar confirmed that the legal notice had been sent to Fernandes. “I have decided to file a defamation case against Capt Viriato Fernandes and sent him a legal notice today. He should apologise within the next eight days, failing which I will go ahead with the case and take this issue to its logical end,” he said.
