MARGAO
In an interesting development, the High Court has called for adding the South Goa Planning and Development Authority as a party to a PIL on the kabrastan issue.
The HC opined that it would be necessary to hear the SGPDA by making the planning body a party. The PIL will come up before the court on January 6.
Sources in the know say the court’s decision to make the SGPDA a party in the writ petition assumes significance given that the Sonsodo land, which was specifically acquired for a kabrastan, had its zone changed for purpose of housing and a power substation.
It further assumes significance given that the SGPDA had notified a portion of land at Sirvodem-Navelim belt for the proposed kabrastan, but which to date has not been acquired or procured by any authority.
What is Margao civic body’s stand?
MARGAO: Will Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Lyndon Pereira and Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes explain to Madgavkars and Fatordekars the stand of the civic body vis-Ã -vis demand by the Muslim community in particular and citizens to restore the Sonsodo land for kabrastan?
The municipality has been maintaining a stoic silence on the Muslim community’s demand for restoring the kabrastan zone at Sonsodo.
Sources said while the Chief Officer has in private favoured kabrastan at Sonsodo land should be utilized for the purpose of kabrastan, the Chairperson is believed to have begged to differ, on the plea that the land at Sirvodem should be explored to set up the burial grounds.
Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes on Tuesday put up a note to councillor Mahesh Amonkar, who is on a hunger striker below the MMC building, drawing his attention to the High Court hearing scheduled in the matter on January 6.
He, however, has not outlined the stand of the MMC on the Muslim community’s demand for kabrastan at Sonsodo.
