the goan I network
PERNEM
A large group of parishioners from Morjim parishioners assembled on Monday to strongly oppose two structures being built close to the church premises.
According to reports, the group of parishioners of Our Lady of Miracles Church, Morjim, gathered in large numbers on Monday, in response to a notice by the Morjim Panchayat to be present for inspection of the structures around the church which were reported by parishioners to the Panchayat.
Unhappy about the two constructions being constructed around the Morjim Church, the parishioners gathered on September 22 and forwarded complaints, expressing their strong objection to the structures in view of sanctity and holiness of the church.
On October 3, the Morjim panchayat issued notices to both parties concerned directing them to stop the illegal constructions on grounds that the constructions carried out by them is illegal and without permission.
The Panchayat had also issued notices to both parties regarding a site inspection on October 14.
The parishioners alleged that despite the panchayat notice, the two parties continued with the construction work. They claimed that complaints were then sent to the Morjim Panchayat and Pernem police station, but claimed that no action was taken by authorities concerned.
When parishioners gathered for the site inspection on Monday, they were informed that one party had sent a notice to the panchayat stating that he could not be present for site inspection.
As a result, the panchayat did not conduct the site inspection and was yet to fix the next date for the inspection, claimed the parishioners.
“The Panchayat then informed the parishioners that the report would be provided to them within a week time, but did not give any written assurance to this effect to the parishioners,” said one parishioner.
Talking about the illegal structures around the church, Morjim Parish Priest Fr Miguel Pereira strongly felt that no permission should be given to both parities to go ahead with their structures.
“These structures will create nuisance to the services conducted by the Church and will affect the sanctity and holiness of the Church,” said Fr Pereira.
Anthony Fernandes, member of Church Fabrica, also raised similar objections, while Parish Council Member Aplon D’Souza appealed to the local MLA Dayanand Sopte to intervene in the matter and do justice to the church.
When contacted, Morjim Sarpanch Vaishali Shetgaonkar said the panchayat had issued notices to both parties to be present for the site inspection on Monday.
“One party sent us a letter stating the he was unable to be present for the site inspection. The panchayat then went ahead and conducted the site inspection of the structure of the other party.”
“The structure belonging to the party that was we inspected is illegal as no permission has been issued by the panchayat. A report will now be sent to the Pernem BDO for further action,” said the sarpanch.
The sarpanch said another site inspection would be conducted regarding the structure of the second party, who was not present at the site inspection on Monday.
“The panchayat asked the BDP for police protection to the panchayat when a site inspection is conducted for the structure of the second party. The issue will also be discussed at the Morjim panchayat meeting on Tuesday,” said the sarpanch.
