MARGAO
The Deputy Collector of South-I, Velton Tellis, has issued a stop-work order regarding illegal hill-cutting activities underway in Rivona village in Sanguem taluka due to the lack of necessary permissions, approvals, or licences from the relevant authorities.
In another related order, Tellis has directed a halt to the illegal hill-cutting in Sulcorna village, also in Sanguem, and instructed the responsible party to immediately show cause as to why appropriate action should not be taken against them.
The Deputy Collector noted that the Flying Squad had received a complaint about ongoing illegal hill-cutting activities in Rivona.
“The Flying Squad conducted a site inspection and reported that illegal hill cutting is ongoing in the village and that no required notice board was displayed at the site, showing the permission from the Town and Country Planning Department as required under the provisions of the law, nor were any documents/permissions made available at the site. As such, this prima facie attracts Section 17(A) of the TCP Act of 1974, which is a cognisable offence,” the stop-work order stated while directing the Police Inspector of Sanguem Police Station to visit the site and stop the illegal hill-cutting immediately.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Collector has issued a show-cause notice cum stop-work order, directing the involved party to appear at the office of the Deputy Town Planner, Town and Country Planning Department, Quepem, either in person or through an authorised representative. They are required to present all necessary permissions, approvals, and licences within 48 hours from the receipt of the notice. Failure to comply will result in an FIR being filed against them.
