the goan I network
PANAJI
Heated arguments were witnessed over an illegal construction activity on Khazan land near a tributary of Zuari river at Corpir-Azossim during the gram sabha of Azossim-Mandur panchayat on Sunday.
A resolution to hold a site inspection was finally passed and it has been fixed on
December 12.
The agitated members raised the issue and alleged that though the panchayat had issued a notice directing the party to stop work, construction activity was being carried out clandestinely. They repeatedly demanded that an inspection be conducted at the site.
In his reply, Azossim-Mandur Sarpanch Ajit Bacal said an inspection could not be carried out at the site, as the gate had been locked. The party could not be served a notice for inspection, as the complainants had not provided details of the party’s address.
The members then demanded to know why the inspection was not held with police protection. The sarpanch asserted that the panchayat had initiated action and issued a stop-work order to the party.
The issue had cropped up after some Azossim villagers and St Mathew tenants association had complained to the panchayat about the illegal construction.
The sarpanch explained that the party pursuing the project had shown approval from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority
with regard to alleged CRZ
violation.
Following complaints from villagers, the party had also shown other approvals including technical clearance from the Town and Country Planning department.
The residents, Metlon Pereira, Henrique D’Souza, Shamin Pereira and Vailan Fernandes, who debated the issue, pointed out that construction activity was being carried in area shown as agricultural land at the site.
They also said that the panchayat should have taken evidence of work done till order to stop work was issued, to verify if additional activity is being done illegally.
The meeting also approved minutes of the previous gram sabha, while Bacal provided details of development works being carried out and proposed in panchayat area.
