MARGAO
The Urban Development Minister rapped the former MMC chairperson, saying, “This authority is of the clear view that being an elected member of the Margao Municipal Council, Gonzaco should act responsibly and not indulge in acts that contravene the provisions of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968.”
While vacating the ex-parte order staying the execution of the Margao Municipal Council’s order directing Gonzaco to demolish the structure, D’Souza, however, gave time till July 8 to implement the order.
“It is clear that the property is constructed by the petitioner (Gonzaco) illegally and therefore cannot be protected by invoking the provisions of section 302 of the Goa Municipalities Act,” D’Souza said, adding that the original structure was a mud house that was demolished by Ms Kurtarkar Real Estate since it was falling under road widening area and the said Mungul Residency was constructed as per approved plans.
Gonzaco had knocked the doors of the Urban Development Minister after the Margao Municipal Council on March 23, 2015 had directed him to remove the structure in question following a complaint lodged by a resident of Madel, Savio J M Dias. Gonzaco argued that the structure in question has been existing since the last 40-50 years and belonged to his father and thereafter in his possession. He further insisted that the structure is shown in the Margao city survey plan and is recorded in the city survey record in the name of his deceased father Julio Rebello.
The complainant, Savio Dias, however, pointed out that the structure owned by Julio Rebello was demolished for road widening as per the approved construction plan and was thereafter reconstructed and built in the road widening area after Gonzaco was elected as a councilor of Margao Municipal Council in the year 2005. He further said the former MMC chairperson has falsely projected the structure to be the original structure and that the house tax of the original structure that was demolished is being paid by Gonzaco using his position in
the Council.
