the goan I network
MARGAO
Audit of the Osia commercial complex by the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has unearthed rampant irregularities in the complex, including using the space atop the toilet lofts, besides lifts and passages for offices and shops.
An agitated TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai directed the Margao Municipal Council to carry out sealing of all the shops, offices and the establishments that have come up illegally and in violation of the plan after the ensuing Diwali festival. The TCP minister further said that the Osia exercise has set the tone to bring a post-occupancy audit to nail unscrupulous builders and developers.
The audit has pointed out that encroachments have been noticed in the complex basement in violation of the law. That’s not all. PDA official pointed out that the lofts atop the toilet blocks have all been encroached with shops, again in violation of the law.
The PDA officials further told the Minister that the provision for a lift has been utilised for offices without approval from any authority.
As a SGPDA official Paul Carvalho submitted the report to the TCP Minister at a meeting in the district Collectorate on Thursday in the presence of PDA Chairperson Dr Renuka Da Silva and Member Secretary Ashok Kumar and Margao Municipal Chief Officer Siddivinayak Naik, Sardesai told the MMC Chief Officer to seal the illegal premises immediately after the Diwali festival.
He also said the exercise initiated at the Osia commercial complex has also underlined the need for a post-occupancy audit to nail the unscrupulous builders and real estate developers, who had in the past converted parking spaces into shops in flagrant violation of the law. “After the audit in the Osia commercial complex, it has become imperative to go for a law mandating post-occupancy audit as there may be several buildings which have violated the parking norms by converting the space into shops,” Sardesai said.
Mulling strict action against the Osia commercial complex for the glaring irregularities, the TCP Minister said the action will make the Osia developer to realise that the complex was not part of a Special Economic Zone, but is part and parcel of the laws and rules in force. “All prevailing laws and rules will be made applicable at the Osia commercial complex. The audit has come out with a host of irregularities and I have told the Margao Municipal Chief Officer Siddivinayak Naik to seal all the illegal establishments,” he added.
“Let the ensuing Diwali festival conclude. We don’t want to spoil the festive atmosphere. But, I want to send a clear message to the society that the government will not tolerate any violations,” he added.
As far as the issues concerning sewerage at the complex is concerned, it has been decided to withhold action since the north main sewerage line work is presently underway. However, the PWD has been directed to issue notice to the complex to deploy night soil tankers to take care of overflowing septic tanks.
