MAPUSA
Former Administrator of Comunidade for the North Zone, Deepak Vaigankar has been suspended amid controversy over a no-objection certificate (NOC) he issued for the mutation of approximately 4 lakh square meters of Camurlim comunidade land to Abdul Rehman Latif Shaikh, a non-gaonkar.
Vaigankar’s suspension, effective pending a formal inquiry, follows disciplinary proceedings initiated by the State Vigilance Department.
Vaigankar, who also serves as Deputy Collector of Valpoi, was temporarily appointed as the Administrator of Comunidade, North Zone, in early October.
However, within a week of taking the post, he was relieved of this charge, with Pandurang Gad assuming the role as Administrator.
During his brief tenure, Vaigankar granted the contentious NOC, permitting Shaikh’s name to be added to the land records, while noting that any claims could be addressed later if necessary.
The issuance of the NOC sparked strong backlash from local villagers and comunidade members, who argued that Shaikh, not being a resident or a recognized gaonkar of Camurlim, should not be entitled to the land.
They quickly filed complaints with the Chief Minister and other government agencies, calling for the immediate revocation of the NOC.
In response to public outcry, the current Administrator of Comunidade, North Zone, Pandurang Gad, issued an order on Monday to withdraw the NOC granted by Vaigankar.
Gad cited procedural and legal discrepancies as grounds for the cancellation, declaring the NOC invalid.
The case has intensified calls for stricter oversight in land administration, with local residents insisting on accountability to prevent such situations in the future.
As the investigation proceeds, further scrutiny is expected regarding the procedural irregularities surrounding the NOC and the broader handling of comunidade land transactions.
