MARGAO
The Curtorim village panchayat on Tuesday issued a stop notice to a builder, ordering an immediate halt to construction of a housing project at Maina.
The notice, signed by Sarpanch Joaquim Estibeiro, directs the builder to stop work at once and present their explanation before the panchayat within three days.
Trouble broke out at the panchayat office on Tuesday morning when villagers, led by Congress leader Moreno Rebello, questioned the Sarpanch about the construction licence granted to the project, which includes around 25 flats and a swimming pool.
Moreno said the panchayat had approved three major housing projects at Maina despite strong opposition from villagers at previous gram sabha meetings. He added that gram sabha members had earlier passed a resolution asking the panchayat to place all proposed housing or commercial projects before the gram sabha for discussion.
Moreno also asked whether the Block Development Officer (BDO) had directed the panchayat to issue the construction licence because the panchayat failed to act within the required time.
“If the panchayat is clear, it should stop work on the project immediately and approach higher authorities against the BDO’s order,” Moreno demanded.
