PONDA
In a significant decision, the Ponda Municipal Council has resolved to take back possession of 1.61 acres of land, which is presently in possession of the military, by deleting name of the defence from the Form I & XIV.
A PMC special meeting chaired by PMC Chairman Pradeep Naik discussed the land issue and the councillors were informed that
the council has already begun the process of deleting name of the defence from land documents.
At present, some portion of this land is used for the Kranti Maidan while the rest is in the possession of the military.
Sources informed The Goan that the land issue has been pending since the last four decades. The military camp still functions on the land, which is in the heart of
Ponda city.
In 2014, the leaders of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party had submitted a memorandum to then defence minister Manohar Parrikar seeking the release of municipal land occupied by 6TTR at Ponda to develop the site as a historical excursion spot and a place for open meetings.
Municipal sources said the PMC had been pursuing the matter with the defence ministry since the past four decades, but efforts to take possession of the land had not materialised, even though Parrikar had also served as defence minister for some time.
Ponda MLA Ravi Naik had frequently taken a dig at Parrikar for failing to resolve the land issue.
Chief Officer Navanath Naik told The Goan that the PMC has already started the process of documentation with the defence ministry.
“It is a continuous process and we have been pursuing this since the last many years. We are seeking the deletion of defence from Form I & XIV record and making efforts to take possession of the land,” said the chief officer.
In another decision, the PMC also resolved to auction 58 shops at the market complex and five shops in the fish market, while vacant place in the shed will be allotted to vendors.
PMC Chairman Pradeep Naik said the municipal office will be shifted to the new market complex, on account of repair work in the present premises.
