OLD GOA
The Merces panchayat authorities conducted inspection of the alleged illegal structure which has been built in the khazan field of Morombi-O-Pequeno.
The inspection was conducted on Wednesday by panchayat secretary Vipin Korgaonkar in the presence of sarpanch Assis Fernandes, ward panch Greta Fernandes, Morombi-O-Pequeno attorney Jose Carmin Joao, Revolutionary Goans leaders Ajay Kholkar and Vishvesh Naik among others.
However, the tenant of the field did not turn up for the inspection.
After conducting the panchanama, sarpanch Fernandes said that the panchayat would issue show cause notice to the owner/occupier of the structure asking why the same should not be demolished.
“A time of 15 days would be given to the owner/occupier to reply to the notice, and in the failure to do so, the panchayat would move for demolition of the structure,” Fernandes added.
When questioned over action on the land filling done, Fernandes said that the panchayat has written to the Collector and the Town and Country Planning Department to initiate action in the matter and ensure that the land is restored to its original state.
Meanwhile, RG leader Ajay Kholkar has chided the Merces panchayat authorities for going slow over initiating action against the structure as well as the land filling activity.
“The panchayat has powers to initiate immediate action against the unauthorized structure, and the inspection done today should have been done on the day the stop work notice was issued,” Kholkar pointed out.
Further, Kholkar informed that mere complaining to the Collector and the TCP does not suffice, and the panchayat authorities should personally follow up on the issue if they are really serious about it.
Meanwhile, Kholkar informed that the RGP leaders would meet the GCZMA member secretary to demand action in the land filling.
“The GCZMA has powers to initiate action under the Environment Protection Act and a RGP delegation will meet the member secretary as and when we get appointment,” Kholkar stated.
