CANACONA
A resident of Agonda has accused the local panchayat of failing to comply with demolition notices on constructions within the CRZ, prompting the Directorate of Panchayats (DoP) to direct local authorities to comply with its directives without awaiting further notices.
Ferdinando Fernandes from Agonda had complained of illegal constructions along CRZ areas of Agonda in 2016 and had demanded suitable action in the matter.
In a memo dated December 30, 2016, the Deputy Director of Panchayat (South-Margao) directed the Canacona block development officer to submit a detailed report after conducting a site inspection along with panchanama, checklist and a rough sketch of the matter.
"However, despite the directions, till date the detailed report in the matter is not received by this office from the BDO," stated another memorandum issued by DoP and signed by Deputy Director Panchayats (South), Margao Snehal S Prabhu on
August 23.
Further mentioning that his office was in receipt of another complaint dated August 10 from Fernandes in the matter, the DoP ordered for a detailed report along with the panchanama, checklist, rough sketch in the matter within 3 weeks and warned the BDO that no more reminders would be issued in
the matter.
Acting in the same matter, the DoP informed Fernandes in a letter (dated September 1) signed by Deputy Director of Panchayat Chandrakant Shetkar, that the Agonda panchayat secretary had been instructed on July 10 to take necessary action.
The panchayat secretary, in turn, informed that final notices had been issued to parties concerned for removal of illegal structures.
Since the parties had failed to remove the structures, the panchayat on July 26 requested the Canacona BDO for a demolition squad to execute the final notice to demolish the illegal structures.
"The constant failure by panchayat authorities to act in time and on their own orders is denying me justice," Fernandes told The Goan.
"Final notices have been issued on paper, but the illegal constructions continue to stand tall and the temporary seasonal structures have not been dismantled even in rainy season, so much so that preparations are underway for the new tourism season," Fernandes added.
Demolition squad has to act:
Agonda panchayat secy
CANACONA: Denying any delay by Agonda panchayat in the matter, Agonda Panchayat Secretary Sushant Naik Gaunkar has said the panchayat had disposed off the complaint and added that the ball is in the court of the demolition squad to take action against the constructions.
"The Agonda Panchayat has no role to play and the file at the panchayat stands closed as of now," said Naik Gaunkar, when asked to justify the delay which prompted DoP to issue two notices on the same issue.
"Two structures in a property are permanent structures having registration number since 1991. Except for these two, other temporary structures existing in CRZ areas of the property are earmarked for demolition. Now, the demolition squad has to execute the demolition and Agonda Panchayat has already informed the BDO," he said.
Explaining further, Naikgaunkar said the complaint in November 2016 put before every panchayat meeting, which incidentally takes place once a month. "The matter was decided in June-July itself and it has been disposed off in the fastest manner," he said.
