CANACONA
Salgaonkar alongwith Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes on Friday visited the plots to get first-hand details and later addressing the media admitted the government's failure to address the long pending demands of the plots allotted.
"The file goes to the government every now and than and gets stranded there, but the Housing Board has considerate approach towards this long pending issue of finalizing the allotments rates. I had assured in the last assembly after the Canacona MLA raised the issue during question hour and my visit here is to know the ground realities before resolving the issue," Salgaonkar said.
MLA Fernandes demanded that the rates fixed during the auctioning year 1989 should be finalized to all the original allottees and not the presently prevailing rates.
An auctioneer reportedly the minister "When exactly government is settling the issue. My father who applied and got the plot in 1989 is now no more and I still cannot get this plot."
It may be recalled that MLA Fernandes had raised the issue in the Assembly and Salgaonkar had assured to look into it.
After visiting the plots, Salgaonkar said the plots are at prime location and the present market rate is approximately Rs 10,000 per sq mtr, but he is favourable of the rate of Rs 4000, which the government and housing board are ready to settle the issue.
"There were 80 plots and demands are pending for 60 plots. The remaining 10-15 plots can be auctioned at present market rate, but proposal of settling the previous demands at Rs 4000 can be considered."
However, Fernandes objected saying that the originally accepted rate of Rs 1700 should be facilitated to the original allottees.
The minister assured to protect Goem and Goemkarponn while settling the pending issue of Housing Board plots at Canacona.
Salgaonkar also visited a school operated in the Mokhardamoll area for special children and responding to the management's demand agreed to allot one plot for construction of a school for special children.
"We will not mind in going out of the way to help and allot plot to construct a school building for special children. The school management is doing appreciable job of running such a school," said the minister.
Goa Forward Party executive Prashant Naik and Mohandas Lolienkar were present at Government Rest House while addressing the media.
Goa Housing Board executive engineer L Patil was present during inspection of Housing Board plots.
