MAPUSA
The Mapusa communidade has accused the government of ignoring its objections and issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for regularisation of structures under the controversial ‘Mhaje Ghar’ scheme, despite the communidade producing photographic evidence of alleged violations.
The communidade is among those that have challenged the government’s Mhaje Ghar scheme before the High Court.
A gauncar raised the issue at its recent general body meeting, where the executive committee informed the guancars that several objections submitted against applications had been rejected by the authorities.
According to the communidade, around 120 applications have been received from Mapusa under the scheme for regularisation of structures.
The executive committee told the general body that the communidade had conducted inspections after receiving applications and had submitted objections to the North Goa Comunidade Administrator, along with photographs documenting alleged illegalities.
Despite this, the government has proceeded with issuing NOCs to applicants, it was stated.
“We have already filed a petition in the High Court against the Mhaje Ghar scheme. We have been objecting to the NOCs under the scheme, but they are rejecting all our objections and giving NOCs to people who have applied under the scheme,” a gauncar told The Goan.
The communidade has also raised concerns over alleged commercial use of some structures for which regularisation has been sought under the residential scheme.
“Some people who have applied under the Mhaje Ghar scheme are carrying out commercial activities from their houses. The scheme is meant only for residential purposes. How can houses where commercial activities are being carried out be regularised?” an executive committee member said.
He said the Mapusa communidade had carried out physical inspections of applications and submitted photographic evidence to support its objections.
“We are conducting inspections and producing proof, but the government is not conducting inspections and is still giving them NOCs,” the executive member alleged.
A source said government authorities were processing the regularisation of the structures under the Regularisation of Unauthorised Construction Act (RURA).
The source further claimed that under the Act, limited commercial activity – up to 20 per cent – could be permitted in certain circumstances, while pointing out that the legislation was primarily intended to address unauthorised constructions in panchayat areas.
The communidade, however, has questioned the basis for regularising structures under the Mhaje Ghar scheme where the premises are allegedly being used for commercial purposes.
The developments have put the spotlight on the manner in which applications under the scheme are being scrutinised, particularly in cases where the communidade, as the landholder, has raised specific objections supported by photographs and site inspections.
