the goan I network
MARGAO
The farmers pointed out that in the absence of any drainage put in place by the builder, rain water from the building complex has wrought havoc in the adjoining paddy fields, causing them huge losses.
Inacio Colaco told the media on Wednesday that members of the Raia Farmers’ Club have time and again raised the issue of their paddy being damaged due to the draining of rain water through a single opening in the retaining wall of the housing project. “In spite of several letters from the affected farmers and also from the BDO, Salcete, besides Director and Deputy Director of Panchayats to the Raia Panchayat, there has been no action,” Colaco said, while claiming that the sarpanch has submitted an incorrect affidavit to the High Court concealing the actual fact.
Panch member Xavier Fernandes maintained that Section 102 of the Panchayat Raj Act mandates the panchayat body to verify if there is sufficient provision for draining of water before issuing an occupancy certificate. “Further, the builder has installed the transformer in a different place from the one shown in the approved plan. This fact has not been disclosed to the High Court by the sarpanch Luis Quadros,” he added.
Both, Xavier and Inacio, disclosed plans to knock the doors of the High Court if the panchayat body issues occupancy certificate to the buildings. The media briefing by the farmers’ club and panch members, Xavier Fernandes, former sarpanch Rumaldo Gonsalves and Melba Colaco on Wednesday assumes significance since the panchayat body is meeting on Thursday to discuss the housing project and to issue the occupancy certificate.
