OLD GOA
The Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC) has termed the revocation orders of Old Goa panchayat and Town and Country Planning (TCP) department as totally misleading and a mere eyewash.
“Permissions/licences which were given by committing first-degree fraud in connivance with the government are now said to be revoked just to fool the people of Goa. How can the fraudulent permissions/licences be revoked when the structure is fully completed,” stated a press release by SOGAC.
“This is the stage for demolition and not revocation.”
The SOGAC has stated it is not at all moved with such eyewash revocations and has decided to continue with the fast satyagraha till the structure is razed to the ground.
“The satyagraha will continue till the physical demolition of the illegal structure and notifying the demarcation of the protected areas, prohibited areas and regulated areas on the Regional Plan,” the SOGAC stated.
When contacted, SOGAC Treasurer Hugo Gonsalves chided the decision of the TCP and the Old Goa panchayat to revoke the licences, which apparently came on the same day, when the licences were granted fraudulently.
“If the licences have been granted fraudulently, how can we guarantee that the revocation of licences is also not a fraud,” asked Gonsalves and added that the people have absolutely no faith in the government and the authorities.
“It could have been done with an eye on the feast of St Francis Xavier,” he added.
Meanwhile, AITUC leader Christopher Fonseca, former minister and AAP Campaign Committee Chairman Dayanand Narvekar, a group of parishioners from Marcela, Gina Pereira, Sarzora Sarpanch Sabita Mascarenhas, activist Zarina D’Cunha, and others visited the heritage lovers to extend their support to the fast satyagraha.
