the goan I network
PANAJI
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Goa Circle, on Saturday, directed Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar to produce a copy of the permission obtained by him for the construction of the compound wall and garden of his new bungalow in survey No 144/2 adjacent to the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa.
Madkaikar was served a notice on 5th November 2015 regarding this issue, to which he responded on 12th of November that same year stating that due permission would be taken from the National Monument Authority in New Delhi.
On 7th June 2018, the Superintending Archaeologist sent a letter to Madkaikar drawing his attention to this earlier response.
Adv Aires Rodrigues had filed a complaint earlier this year against the illegal compound wall built by Madkaikar around his bungalow.
Blossom Madeira, the Director of Archives and Archaeology (Goa), had forwarded this complaint to ASI last week.
Tiswadi Deputy Town Planner R.N. Volvoikar had instructed the Director of Archives and Archaeology, and Old Goa panchayat, to take necessary action on Madkaikar’s compound wall.
Madeira stated that as the matter pertained to the ASI, she was forwarding the complaint accordingly.
Adv Rodrigues, in his complaint, had pointed out that Madkaikar had constructed the compound wall within less than 50 metres from the prohibited area of the Central Protected Monument of the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
He also noted that in 2011, Madkaikar had given a written undertaking to the Secretary of Archives and Archaeology that he would dismantle the fencing, in three months, and at his own cost.
On 3rd November 2015, the ASI had asked the Old Goa Police Inspector to register an FIR against Madkaikar over the unauthorized compound wall, and had also endorsed a copy to the local authorities including the North Goa Collector and the local Panchayat. However, no action was taken.
Nikitasha Realtors applied for an Occupancy Certificate on 5th January 2018.
The same was granted within a week by the Old Goa Panchayat headed by Madkaikar’s wife, Sarpanch Janita Madkaikar.
The Madkaikars moved into the bungalow on April 1, this year.
Madkaikar himself is currently recuperating in a Mumbai hospital after suffering a stroke earlier this week.
