OLD GOA
Sending out a stern warning to the government, people protesting against an illegal structure in a protected area at Old Goa warned they would be forced to canvass against their candidates in the upcoming assembly elections if the structure was not demolished.
The warning was issued during a protest march held from the St Cajetan church to the site of the structure. The march culminated in a meeting outside the church.
At the meeting, various speakers lambasted the government and the authorities concerned for bypassing rules to grant various licences to the structure.
Speaking on the occasion, historian Prajal Sakhardande stated no structure can come up within one kilometre of the UNESCO world heritage site.
“Even the national rule says that no structure can come up within 300 metres and even the TCP conservation committee does not allow structures in protected areas,” Sakhardande informed.
He said granting licences to such a structure within the protected area of a world heritage site amounts to serious violation of rules.
“If the government or the court does not demolish the structure then we will have to do it on our own,” the historian thundered.
Explaining the series of events, Fr Noel D’Costa cited how all agencies, central as well as state, colluded to give permissions to the structure in violation of all laws since the property was sold by a broker, who is a treasurer of a prominent local party in Goa, to a husband of a national spokesperson of a central party.
“The local ASI reports are very clear that such a huge structure did not exist. In fact, they found out that the structure shown was from Parcem in Pernem. Even then, why is the DG (monuments) not coming up with the stop order?” Fr D’Costa questioned.
“Permissions were given on Central government’s pressure and through the agents of the local party. We will target the central as well as the local party in the Assembly elections 2022 till the licences are revoked. We will send our volunteers in the villages and highlight what they have done in the holy place of Old Goa,” Fr D’Costa stated.
“This is only an awareness that we are doing right now and in the days to come we will intensify our fight till the structure is demolished,” the priest added.
Highlighting how the interests of the rich are being protected, activist Rama Kankonkar said that even when heritage structures are not shown in the CZMP, new structures like the one at Old Goa have been shown.
“Heritage monuments, including churches in Old Goa, have not been shown in the CZMP but surprisingly this particular structure finds place in the plan which only goes to show whose interests the government is protecting,” Kankonkar informed.
Aruna Wagh, architect Tahir Noronha and others also spoke on the occasion.
