Some residents who are also ‘Sevekaris’ of Shri Mallikarjun Devasthan of Nagorcem-Palolem accused the Devasthan Committee of blocking the pathway and undertaking a construction on Devasthan property in No Development Zone (NDZ), without obtaining permission from authorities.
In a letter to the Canacona Mamlatdar, Sandip Naik Gaonkar complained that a construction is in progress at Nagorcem-Palolem, adding that the newly elected committee of Shree Mallikarjun Devasthan had not sought permission from the TCP department, Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) and other authorities.
Gaonkar also claimed that the construction had blocked the pathway of the Sevekaris residing in the house in the vicinity. He stated that the construction is coming up on the edge of the road without leaving any setback to the road, while also obstructing the rights of the Sevekaris residing in the house.
Gaonkar stated that the construction is undertaken without taking the rights of the Sevekaris into consideration.
According to locals, the Shree Mallikarjun Devasthan at Shristhal owns various properties in Canacona taluka, which include agricultural land and other land across the coastal belt.
They claimed that some properties have been in possession of the Sevekaris of the Shree Mallikarjun Devasthan for ages.
The complaint further stated that since the properties are of religious significance, the Sevekaris had refrained from using the land for the commercial activities, illegal constructions, illicit businesses etc. in order to preserve the sanctity of the place.
The aggrieved residents have demanded immediate action against the Devasthan committee.
