Encroachments in govt properties
The illegal structures that have come under the scanner of the South Goa district Collector Egna Cleetus near the Aquem Power House.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
In a development that may leave the Margao Municipal Council and the powers that be embarrassed, the South Goa district Collector, Egna Cleetus has issued directions to the MMC Chief Officer to take immediate action for removal of all encroachments, constructions, etc in the premises/properties of the Electricity Department, Government of Goa and also on Roadside / Public place.
The action comes in the wake of a representation made by senior Power official Kashinath Shetye to the district Collector, drawing attention to the unauthorized stalls/shops that have come up and are obstructing the footpath, parking area and emergency entrance of the Aquem Section Office of the Electricity Department at Aquem Power House.
The representation had stated that the encroachment is causing severe inconvenience to the public, staff and emergency operations.
The Collector’s office has observed a number of violations at the area, including unauthorized occupation of public footpaths, Electricity Department premises and Roadside; obstruction to emergency access, parking and traffic movement; Non-compliance with court-mandated removal of illegal encroachments, besides violations of the Goa Land (Prohibition on Construction) Act, 1995.
The Collector has directed the MMC Chief Officer to take immediate action for removal of all these encroachments, constructions, etc in the premises/properties of the Electricity Department, Government of Goa and also on Roadside / Public place in accordance of the law and as per the directions of the Court and the Goa Land (Prohibition on Construction) Act, 1995.
Besides, the Chief Officer has been further directed to submit a detailed action-taken report to the Collector’s office by May 30 with photographic evidence of compliance.
Sources pointed out that the Collector’s directions may leave the MMC administration and the political leadership red faced for the simple reason that the task of keeping the footpaths and pavements free from encroachments rests with the Municipal body.
In fact, questions are being raised as to why the MMC had turned a blind eye to the illegal structures and encroachments on the footpath near the Aquem power house all this time, prompting a senior Power official to demand action with a warning to knock the doors of the High Court for justice.
“As per the High Court order on encroachments passed in the late 90’s, local bodies, including the Municipalities and panchayats are mandated to keep the footpaths and pavements free from encroachments. It is indeed surprising that the MMC had turned a blind eye to the encroachments”, remarked a district administration official.
