OLD GOA
In an interesting development to the Old Goa structure issue, the Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC) has requested the panchayat that it be heard as and when the hearing on the show cause notice is scheduled.
Along with SOGAC, the Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) has also made a similar request in separate applications submitted by the two organizations to the panchayat, on February 1.
However, the applications have baffled the Old Goa panchayat authorities as no hearing has been scheduled on the issue as the affected party, that is, the owner of the structure has not sought the same.
“How are we supposed to grant the request of the two organizations when no such demand has been made by the owner of the said structure,” a panch informed The Goan,
“We have already finalized the date for the fortnightly meeting in which a resolution to issue demolition order will be approved,” the panch further stated.
It may be recalled that the Old Goa panchayat had issued a show-cause notice to Sumermal Jain of Corvus Urban Infrastructures LLP, Mumbai asking why the structure should not be demolished.
However, the notice was returned stating that the owner was not residing at the given address. Later, the panchayat authorities had passed the show-cause notice at the construction site, on January 31 with the deadline of seven days ending on February 6.
When questioned on the issue, SOGAC president Fatima Pereira informed that they have made the applications based on legal advice.
“There is a possibility that the owner could ask for personal hearing and we want to put forth our views as and when it happens,” Pereira stated.
To a question whether it would not have been wise to move the application after the owner had asked for a personal hearing, another SOGAC member Glen Cabral said they don’t want to leave anything to chance.
“We want to make sure that the Old Goa panchayat is not left alone in the legal battle that could ensue after the demolition order is challenged in the courts,” Cabral opined.
