MARGAO
An inspection of comunidade land at Dicarpale in Davorlim village, which had witnessed a landslide killing around 11 labourers from Uttar Pradesh in 2005, has unearthed illegalities, including illegal residential structures and commercial establishments including scrapyards without permission from the local Panchayat body.
After the inspection, Davorlim-Dicarpale Sarpanch Saiesh Rajadyax told the media that the panchayat would write to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Health department, besides the district Collector, South to initiate action against the structures.
Davorlim-based social activist Andrew Rebello hoped the Panchayat and other authorities will act against the illegalities at Dicarpale. “This is the very same land which had witnessed a land slide that had killed 11 labourers in 2005. Almost 19 years now, the area is now dotting with illegal structures, including business establishments."
The activist further alleged that vested interests are collecting rent from the tenements and business establishments.
Sarpanch Saiesh told the media that the inspection team have come across scrapyards and other commercial activities, besides illegal structures on the land in question belonging to the comunidade body.
“The inspection has been held since the issue was repeatedly raised at the gram sabha meetings in recent times. The panchayat would compile the inspection report and place the same before the fortnight meeting for further action”, he said.
Saying the sewage water is flowing down from the area occupied by the structures, the Sarpanch said the panchayat would write to the health department as well as the GSPCB to initiate further action. Raising doubts over the question of tenant verification in the locality during the time frame set by the police, the Sarpanch said the panchayat would write to the Maina Curtorim to initiate action against the landlords and tenants as per the law in force.
“The Panchayat will not entertain any illegalities in the village. We will write to the Collector and other authorities. Representatives of the local comunidade body were not present at today’s inspection”, he added.
Activist Andrew Rebello said the panchayat has not benefitted in any manner on the revenue front, claiming that vested interests are collecting huge amounts of money from the illegal structures.
