the goan I network
OLD GOA
The boundary dispute between Merces and Chimbel panchayats has heated up, with the Merces panchayat authorities accusing the Chimbel panchayat of issuing licences in areas under the jurisdiction of Merces.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the function to inaugurate a garbage truck, panch Prakash Naik alleged that the Chimbel panchayat is illegally issuing licences in areas like Datteshwar colony, near Apna Ghar and other areas which are part of Merces village.
“We have all documentation to prove that these areas come under Merces panchayat, and the Chimbel panchayat doesn’t have any documents to prove to the contrary,” Naik further claimed, while showing a survey plan of Morombi-O-Grande wherein all these areas are shown.
When The Goan pointed out that the Merces panchayat is also issuing licences in areas under Chimbel panchayat like 186/4A, where it has recently issued license for a mobile tower, Naik replied, “Even that area comes under Merces panchayat and hence, the Merces panchayat has every right to issue licences there.”
When pointed out that Merces panchayat has, till date, not begun garbage collection in that area, Naik said the panchayat would soon begin a collection drive there.
When further reminded that the boundary dispute between Merces and Chimbel panchayats is currently in the court of deputy director of panchayats and that both panchayats should maintain status quo, Naik countered by stating that the Merces panchayat has every right to issue licences in its jurisdiction.
“Has any authority barred the Merces panchayat from issuing licences in these areas,” he quipped.
On the issue of Datteshwar colony, where Chimbel panchayat is collecting house tax, Naik said the Merces panchayat will issue notices to the house owners to register with the Merces panchayat henceforth.
“If they have proof that Datteshwar colony comes under Chimbel panchayat jurisdiction, let them approach the court,” he opined.
