PANAJI
Former sarpanch of Santa Cruz Mariano Araujo has accused another former sarpanch William Gonsalves of misusing power by allegedly using his position as then sarpanch to execute a sale deed and buy a plot reserved for open space in a sub-divided property in Cujira.
Speaking to reporters in Panaji on Wednesday, Araujo informed that Gonsalves who was a sarpanch in 1996 purchased the open space by executing a sale deed with the owner's daughter.
“The said plot was earmarked as open space, which has clearly been shown in the plan as well as mention of which is found in sale deeds of 1968 and 1972,” Araujo claimed.
“A complaint against Gonsalves was lodged by a resident of Merces, Yogesh Tigadi, with relevant authorities in 2021, after the former sarpanch applied for NOC for building a residential house in the open space,” Araujo added.
“The Town and Country Planning (TCP) department had issued technical clearance to Gonsalves based on the said sale deed and subsequent mutation entry and partition.”
“However, the Santa Cruz panchayat kept the matter on hold due to objections from other plot owners who, in 2019, had approached the Santa Cruz for beautification of the open space as a children's park or recreation park,” Araujo stated.
When questioned on the current status of the matter, Araujo informed that the Vigilance Department had taken cognisance of the complaint and written to the TCP to inquire into the matter, after which the TCP had issued a notice to Gonsalves to file his reply on February 22.
“Gonsalves was given 15 days to file his reply but, till date, he has failed to do so and the authorities should take relevant action against the former sarpanch,” Araujo demanded.
When questioned why he is not approaching the SIT formed for probing land grabbing cases, Araujo said he would think about it.
Purchased plot following all norms: Gonsalves
PANAJI: Refuting allegations against him of having fraudulently executed a sale deed of an open space, former Santa Cruz sarpanch William Gonsalves said he bought the plot after following all legal procedures.
Speaking exclusively to The Goan, Gonsalves said the owner of the plot had all relevant ownership documents and also a NOC issued by the Panaji PDA in 1986 for registration of the sale deed. He further furnished a copy of the NOC to The Goan.
“After going through all the documents, I had executed the sale deed after purchasing the plot from the owner,” Gonsalves stated.
To another question that he is yet to file a reply to the TCP notice, Gonsalves furnished a copy of the reply to The Goan that he had submitted to the department on March 3.
“I have already replied to the TCP along with relevant documents after which I did not get any further correspondence in the matter.”
“Those who are making allegations should first come out with concrete proof that the said plot was an open space,” Gonsalves added.
Speaking to reporters in Panaji on Wednesday, Araujo informed that Gonsalves who was a sarpanch in 1996 purchased the open space by executing a sale deed with the owner's daughter.
“The said plot was earmarked as open space, which has clearly been shown in the plan as well as mention of which is found in sale deeds of 1968 and 1972,” Araujo claimed.
“A complaint against Gonsalves was lodged by a resident of Merces, Yogesh Tigadi, with relevant authorities in 2021, after the former sarpanch applied for NOC for building a residential house in the open space,” Araujo added.
“The Town and Country Planning (TCP) department had issued technical clearance to Gonsalves based on the said sale deed and subsequent mutation entry and partition.”
“However, the Santa Cruz panchayat kept the matter on hold due to objections from other plot owners who, in 2019, had approached the Santa Cruz for beautification of the open space as a children's park or recreation park,” Araujo stated.
When questioned on the current status of the matter, Araujo informed that the Vigilance Department had taken cognisance of the complaint and written to the TCP to inquire into the matter, after which the TCP had issued a notice to Gonsalves to file his reply on February 22.
“Gonsalves was given 15 days to file his reply but, till date, he has failed to do so and the authorities should take relevant action against the former sarpanch,” Araujo demanded.
When questioned why he is not approaching the SIT formed for probing land grabbing cases, Araujo said he would think about it.
Purchased plot following all norms: Gonsalves
PANAJI: Refuting allegations against him of having fraudulently executed a sale deed of an open space, former Santa Cruz sarpanch William Gonsalves said he bought the plot after following all legal procedures.
Speaking exclusively to The Goan, Gonsalves said the owner of the plot had all relevant ownership documents and also a NOC issued by the Panaji PDA in 1986 for registration of the sale deed. He further furnished a copy of the NOC to The Goan.
“After going through all the documents, I had executed the sale deed after purchasing the plot from the owner,” Gonsalves stated.
To another question that he is yet to file a reply to the TCP notice, Gonsalves furnished a copy of the reply to The Goan that he had submitted to the department on March 3.
“I have already replied to the TCP along with relevant documents after which I did not get any further correspondence in the matter.”
“Those who are making allegations should first come out with concrete proof that the said plot was an open space,” Gonsalves added.
