the goan I network
PANAJI
Submitting a complaint to the director of the Vigilance Department and to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Congress on Thursday alleged that Urban Development Minister Milind Naik had constructed two bungalows at the Murmugao Jetty illegally on government land, and had destroyed a hill in the bargain.
160 square meters of land had been allotted to Naik’s late father Sagun Naik, who was a Class II occupant of the land, while the government was the Class I occupant of the land. This means that Naik could only occupy the land, and not construct on it, explained Congress Youth President Varad Mardolkar, who filed the complaint with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau on behalf of the Congress.
Further, the Congress has obtained documents showing that further land has been acquired by Naik and his brother Umesh Naik, taking the total land currently constructed on to 278 square meters. The Congress alleged that the additional land was obtained and constructed on without necessary permissions from the Planning and Development Authority (PDA), Revenue Department who is the owner of the land, and Mines and Zoology Department. Also, the two brothers are not the sole holders of the land with Sagun Naik having other heirs.
Addressing a press conference in the Congress headquarters, spokesperson Amarnath Panjikar alleged that Land Survey Department supervisors Rudy Albuquerque (Field Supervisor) and Sagar Navelkar (Head Supervisor) had changed documents due to political pressure from Naik. These changed documents were then misused.
“The flying squad didn’t do its duty. Even though a police complaint was filed, no action was taken.
The municipality gave Naik construction license on false declaration and incorrect documents,” said Panjikar, demanding an immediate stop work order in addition to revocation of all permissions, licenses, and NOCs. The party has also asked for an enquiry into the alleged illegal construction.
While Naik had obtained permission from the Chief Town Planner, the Congress has said that this NOC was not applicable in this case and that an NOC from the Revenue Department was a must. In the absence of the said NOC, no hill cutting would have been allowed and the PDA should have either demanded the necessary NOC, or rejected the application, reads the complaint.
When contacted, Naik denied that anything was amiss, saying that he had obtained the necessary permissions. He also said he would not like to comment further till the Congress showed proof of
any illegalities.
