MARGAO
In a development on the vexed kabrastan issue, the Advocate General has submitted before the High Court that the consultant appointed by the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) has identified and demarcated an area admeasuring 2,500 square metres at Sonsodo to build the kabrastan.
In so far as the grievances of the intervenors are concerned, who have prayed for land to set up burial grounds for other communities at Sonsodo, the same will be taken up for consideration at the stage of the final hearing of the petition, together with other pending issues.
The Advocate General has submitted that the kabrastan would be constructed and developed on land admeasuring 2,500 square metres out of the total acquired land admeasuring 31,000 square metres.
When the matter came up before the High Court for hearing, the Advocate General further stated that necessary steps are being taken to tender the work and it will be completed in terms of the directions issued by the court on October 12, 2022.
“In so far as the grievances of the Interveners are concerned, the same will be taken up for consideration at the stage of final hearing of the petition, together with other pending issues,” the High Court observed.
The Advocate General has further submitted that a status report should be filed in the High Court by May 2, 2023. The hearing was later adjourned to May 3, 2023.
The Advocate General later told the media that the issue concerning the allocation of the acquired land for the other communities will be taken up at a later date. He has pointed out that the GSUDA consultant has submitted that only an area admeasuring 2,500 square metres of the total acquired area 31,000 square meters is available for the construction and development of burial grounds. “Development and construction on the balance land is not possible for the moment because of the gradient as per the existing law. All the issues raised by the intervenors for allotment of land to set up burial grounds other than the kabrastan will be addressed at the final date of hearing,” the Advocate General told the media.
In its October 12, 2022 order, the High Court had asserted that the Muslim community is in dire need of sufficient space for its kabrastan, and had directed the PWD and the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) to undertake and complete the works of providing a full-fledged kabrastan at the acquired lands at Sonsodo as expeditiously as possible, and in any case, within six months from the date of order.
