the goan I network
QUEPEM
The New Educational Institute at Curchorem has reacted strongly to a memorandum submitted by the Bepquegal Residents Front regarding the installation of the compound gates, stating that claims by locals were incorrect and an attempt to mislead authorities.
The New Educational Institute School Manager Satyesh Kakodkar has written to the chief officer of Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council, referring to newspaper reports about the memorandum submitted by the Bepquegal Residents Front.
In his statement, Kakodkar has said they are absolute owners of the property and has enclosed form I and XIV to prove the same. He mentioned that the claim of residents that two-thirds of the area be kept open to public was false, incorrect and an attempt to mislead authorities.
Kakodkar stated that each house has its own access and hence, the need to enter the school premises did not arise.
He added that the school management undertakes to open enclosure in case of emergencies of health, fire and also for passage for religious processions and will keep gates open for use, as and when needed.
Kakodkar also stated in his letter that the survey plan indicates no public road/access in the property.
Later speaking to The Goan, Kakodkar clarified on the message which had been sent to parents about entry from the east gate and exit from west gate. “The management will also allow the parents before and after school and residents too can pass through the gates,” said Kakodkar.
He said the full area is leased to school by the government with the condition that one-third to be used for construction and rest be left “Open to Sky”, which is misinterpreted by residents as “Open to Public”. ““Open to Sky” doesn’t mean “Open to Public” and it is this misinterpretation that has resulted in all this chaos,” he added.
He further clarified that all those present in the compound on the day of the incident were parents and insisted that no outsider was present in the school compound. Kakodkar, however, said he was happy that the issue is resolved as they have not blocked access to the residents but told them that they could use it for vehicles and also during emergencies.
Despite repeated attempts, CCMC Chief Officer Kapil Phadte was not available to comment on the decision and action plan by the municipal council on the gates installed in the school compound.
