MARGAO
Taking cognizance of reports of illegal land filling of agricultural fields and along roadsides, South Goa District Collector, Asvin Chandru, IAS has issued a memorandum directing all the deputy collectors, mamlatdars and the talathis in the South Goa district to immediately initiate a special drive by carrying out inspection of all areas in their respective jurisdiction.
In fact, the district Collector has called for immediate action against the violators as per law if any violations are noticed during the special drive. They have been further told to maintain strict vigil through their officers as and when illegal activities/ violations are noticed. Further, directions have been issued to inform the concerned departments/ authorities immediately to initiate appropriate action against such violations including under Section 17A of the Goa Town & Country Planning Act, 1974 by the Town & Country Planning Department.
While calling upon the authorities to initiate strict action as per the directions within the specified time frame, they have been further told to submit action taken report latest by May 5.
The district Collector has reminded the deputy collectors, mamlatdars in the district that they are empowered to take immediate action against any illegal land filling under the provisions of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968.
Setting a mechanism in place to respond to complaints received from members of the public, the Collector, in the memorandum, has pointed out that the talathis of the concerned areas are duty bound to report such violations for taking immediate action. The memorandum has further stated that the mamlatdars are duty bound to file checklist and deputy collectors in turn are duty bound to initiate action under Goa Land Revenue Code 1968.
The district Collector’s directions assumed significance and comes against the backdrop of recent illegal land filling activities that have gone viral in Benaulim constituency, prompting Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas to lead a delegation of the panchayat secretaries from the constituency to the district Collector along with senior town planner Ranjit Borkar over a week ago.
