In a case that suggests a stark disparity in the enforcement of construction regulations, the Mapusa Municipal Council appears to have different sets of rules for ordinary citizens and VIPs.
A construction project on comunidade land next to the crematorium in Mapusa has sparked controversy and allegations of favouritism.
The contentious construction is a steel-clad shed on property donated by the Mapusa comunidade to the Mapusa Gramastha Hindu Sabha, the organisation managing the crematorium.
According to sources, the structure is being built without the mandatory permissions from the relevant authorities.
Notably, this property is reportedly being developed into a workshop for a renowned motor vehicle company in which a prominent Mapusa-based BJP politician holds stakes.
Abhay Gaundalkar, Chairman of the Mapusa Gramastha Hindu Sabha, confirmed the lease agreement.
“We have leased out the property to a company which is putting up a shed for vehicles,” he told The Goan, adding that the rental income would offset the cost of wood for cremations and fund crematorium improvements.
This is not the first such lease; the land was previously leased to Simplex Infrastructure Pvt Ltd for the underground sewerage system construction.
Residents of Mapusa have expressed outrage over the secrecy and speed of the project.
“First of all, how can someone begin construction on the land without obtaining permissions from the authorities? The Mapusa civic body immediately issues show cause notices when an ordinary citizen carries out work without permission, but in this case, the construction is happening just 500 metres from the Mapusa civic body, and they fail to take action,” said Sachin Kitlekar, a Mapusa resident.
Kitlekar and others are questioning the legality of the Mapusa Gramastha Hindu Sabha’s lease agreement and whether proper procedures were followed.
A couple of complaints have been filed with the Mapusa Chief Officer and other authorities, yet no action has been taken against the construction.
When approached, Mapusa Chairperson Nutan Bicholkar offered a cautious response, emphasising the technical section’s role in investigating illegal construction complaints.
“We have a technical section in place which conducts an inquiry whenever a complaint of illegal construction is received. You may contact the chief officer about the concerned construction,” Bicholkar stated.
Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar redirected inquiries in the matter to the engineering section, while sources within the municipality confirmed the construction’s illegality, noting that no permission had been sought.
These sources also revealed that a note was prepared to issue a show cause notice and a stop work order to the construction.
Despite this, the construction continues unabated.
“While the civic authorities are dilly-dallying on the issue, the construction is going on in full swing at the site,” said Jawaharlal Shetye, an RTI activist and one of the complainants.
This case highlights a potential abuse of power and raises serious questions about the equitable enforcement of construction laws in Mapusa, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability from municipal authorities.
Comunidade land donated for social cause cannot be leased out for commercial purpose: Mapusa attorney
MAPUSA: The Mapusa comunidade has reiterated that land allotted for social purposes cannot be leased for commercial activities, emphasizing that such land is strictly for charitable and agricultural use.
“Comunidade law is very clear. No commercial activity is allowed on comunidade land. Anyone who has been donated comunidade land for charitable purposes cannot convert it for commercial or any other purpose,” stated Shivanand Gauns, Attorney of Mapusa comunidade.
Gauns further explained that any organization allotted comunidade land must seek permission before sub-leasing it.
He specifically referenced the land donated many years ago to the Mapusa Gramastha Hindu Sabha for cremation purposes.
“If the Hindu Gramastha Sabha has leased it for commercial purposes, then it is absolutely wrong. They have to inform us first because the primary landowner is the comunidade,” he asserted.
Gauns noted that the Mapusa comunidade can take action if a formal complaint is filed. To date, no such complaints have been received.
He urged anyone with concerns to report to the administrator of the comunidade and the managing committee of the concerned comunidade.
“Once we receive a complaint, we will conduct an inspection and submit a report to the administrator, who is expected to act on it immediately,” Gauns assured.
