Asserts his party has got nothing to do with the controversial structure
MARGAO
Asserting that neither he nor his party is in any way connected to the controversial construction near the heritage site at Old Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said he has directed the departments concerned, including the Town and Country Planning and the Panchayat to check the documents of the controversial structure and initiate action as per law.
Speaking his mind on the raging controversy to the media on the sidelines of the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia programme at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on Saturday, the Chief Minister said he has no issue at all if the structure is demolished if it is illegal.
He, however, hastened to add that those who are demanding action against the structure ought to have done some exercise, by officially giving in writing the demand for action in the matter.
“As far as I have understood the issue, it’s a private plot purchased by a third party. I have been told that a member of a political party and close associate of a former minister is also connected with the construction. This former minister has now raised his hands up. I don’t want to go into these details. I have been told that they have got the number and the construction license. Someone who is close to power must have done something to get the number and the license. Again, I do not want to go into these details,” the Chief Minister said.
He added: “As I understand the issue, they have got the license and the permission that time and then started the construction. No doubt, if it is illegal, the construction should be stopped. But, someone should have given to me in writing to initiate action. Now, since there’s an agitation against the structure, my government has taken cognizance and will act on it. I have directed the departments, concerned, including TCP and Panchayat, to check the documents and stop the construction if it is illegal”, the CM said.
Saying that no one should try to shift the blame on him on the issue, the Chief Minister said those who have done the sin, their videos and photos are connected to the issue. “I have no connection with the construction nor my party is in any way connected with it,” he asserted, adding “those who are demanding action should be asked whether they had at any time given any memorandum to me to initiate action.”
When questioned when action is expected to be taken against the structure, the Chief Minister said it will take some time since the process has been set in motion. “If any petition was given earlier, the action would have come early,” he added.
When his attention was drawn to the statement made by his cabinet minister that action against the structure would come soon, the Chief Minister said, “If it is a Supreme Court matter, we have to understand the legal aspects. The cabinet minister should know that there’s a process that needs to be followed. The people should also understand that everything will be done as per law,” he added.
