MARGAO
The Panzorconne-Cuncolim hill cutting has taken the centre stage once again with noted Konkani tiatrist and singer, a senior Goa police officer, SP Sammy Tavares composing a song on the episode titled “Maink Vikunk Sodtat”, even as hearing on the show cause notice cum stop work order took place before Cuncolim Municipal Chief Officer Violet Gomes on Monday.
The song released on Independence Day sought to blame the powers that be for turning a blind eye to the development on the base of the hillock for housing plots. The song, which has gone viral since Sunday, has questioned the silence of the politicians and the authorities since the development has been taking place right adjoining the national highway.
“I thought of composing the song as the powers that be turned a blind eye to the land development. One can see with a naked eye how the machinery was deployed to take up the development, but the powers that be and authorities preferred to look the other way”, he said.
The senior cop, holding the position as Superintendent of Police, Konkan Railway Police station, said the song has sought to convey a message to the authorities that they cannot be naïve to the sentiments of the people of Cuncolim. “It is in the fitness of things that the powers that be protect the hillock from destruction. Cuncolim is not for sale and neither the rich natural beauty and heritage”, Sammy said.
Even as the song went viral, drawing huge response, Cuncolim Municipal Chief Officer Violet Gomes held a hearing in her chamber on Monday. One of the complainants, Dr Jorson Fernandes was personally present for the hearing, while the party was represented by its lawyer.
After hearing the arguments, the Chief Officer has adjourned the matter to next week.
Dr Jorson told the media that he insisted that the Cuncolim Municipal Chief Officer revoke the permission granted by the Civic body for the land development. He also questioned the delay in holding a joint inspection of the site by the Civic body and the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department.
On the other hand, the other party pointed out that the Chief Officer has no powers to issue stop work order to stop work at the site.
Chief Officer, Violet Gomes had on July 19 issued the stop work order cum show cause notice on the land developer after a site inspection by Civic officials reported that development work is in progress at the site in contravention of the provisions of the clearance issued by the Town and Country Planning Authority and in violation of the provisional permission issued by the Civic body date April 20.
While directing the developer to stop the work forthwith, Chief Officer directed the developer to show cause with documentary evidence if any, as to why the NOC shall not be revoked under the Goa Municipalities Act 1968.
