CANACONA
The Khola panchayat has decided to issue a show-cause notice to construction activity on the rocky coast of Rajbhag near Cabo-de-Rama Fort, after inspecting the site on Monday.
Incidentally, an application for a NOC to construct 14 rooms and a shack (restaurant) had been submitted to the panchayat office on August 20.
After details and photos of the construction activity went viral on social media late Saturday evening and Sunday, Khola Sarpanch Purna Nayak, Ward Panch Guru Velip and Panchayat Secretary Damodar Kankonkar on Monday inspected the construction activity at the site.
“A lot of construction/erection materials and a partially erected platform and some other related works were found at the site,” said Nayak adding,
“We observed some minor hill-cutting (landscaping) and cutting of coconut trees. Neither any owners nor workers were present at the site.”
The panchayat later decided to issue a show-cause notice to owners of the land.
However, when the team reached the panchayat office, the staff handed over an application from a person reportedly submitted on Friday, seeking NOC for the registration of 14 rooms and a shack (restaurant) for the tourism season 2021-22.
Besides other attachments, the applicant has enclosed a CRZ licence and ownership documents.
Confirming the receipt of an application, Khola Sarpanch Purna Nayak, however, said: “Though we were not informed earlier by the staff, the mere submission of an application for a NOC for registration of tourism structures does not give anyone the right to take up construction of structures, etc.”
“These applications need to be submitted to the panchayat body before any NOC and if deemed eligible, is conveyed to the applicant and only then can the construction activity be permitted.”
“A show-cause notice will be issued to the person concerned for carrying out construction activities, besides cutting of coconut trees and hill-cutting activity. The party will be directed to stop further construction activities,” the sarpanch said.
According to sources, the land belonging to some residents has been reportedly rented out to an outsider to conduct the tourism trade. The tourism stakeholders began developing the land after submitting an application to the Khola panchayat.
