the goan I network
MAPUSA
Residents of Camarkhazan protesting against the second sewerage treatment plant in Mapusa got a shot in the arm after Mapusa communidade revoked the NOC granted to the Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL).
The attorney of the Mapusa Communidade wrote to the deputy general manager of SIDCGL stating that it had received letters from the Vice-Chairman of Mapusa Municipal Council, Marlene de Souza and Jonoeiros of communidade of Mapusa objecting to the NOC granted to the corporation.
“In view of the letters, I hereby revoke, withdraw and declare null and void the NOC granted to you by this office dated October 10, 2017,” said Maurice D’Souza, attorney of Mapusa Coummunidade in a letter to SIDCGL issued on March 22.
Making a strong appeal against the STP and demanding revocation of NOC, Marlene de Souza said that the residents of Camarkhazan were against the idea of a second STP serving the areas of Bastora, Porvorim, Guirim, etc in addition to the one meant to serve the Mapusa area.
“The communidade’s NOC to the corporation has caused great prejudice to the sentiments of the people as existence of two STPs covering a greater part of Bardez would greatly and adversely affect the locality, water bodies, fields as well as the public at large,” Marlene said in her letter to Mapusa communidade.
The Jonerios of communidade of Mapusa in another letter to the managing committee of the Mapusa communidade pointed out that the NOC was issued without complying with the procedures laid down as per the articles mentioned in the Code of Communidades.
“NOCs cannot be granted to any lands belonging to the communidades until the opinion of the general body is obtained under Article 35 of the Code of Communidades. Secondly, the meeting requires notification in the official gazette mentioning the specific purpose for it being convened,” the letter signed by the Janerios said.
They further said that the NOC granted to SIDCGL had no validity and therefore should be revoked.
The revocation of NOC by Mapusa communidade is a significant victory to the residents of Camarkhazan and has come at a crucial point, as the government has decided to carry out demarcation of land with the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records in the area where the STP is proposed.
The demarcation work is scheduled to take place on March 28 and notices have been issued to at least 34 persons who own land in the area. It may be recalled after facing resistance from residents of Porvorim, SIDCGL finally settled to build 20 MLD STP at the present site at Camarkhazan in Mapusa.
