MARGAO
Betalbatim village witnessed an uproar on Wednesday after locals of Nagvaddo ward cried foul over the construction of a retaining wall in the agriculture fields.They demanded that the Panchayat headed by Sarpanch Constancio Miranda set in motion the process to demolish the retaining wall since it does not have any permission.
The locals complained that the retaining wall is not only illegal but will block the free flow of rainwater during the monsoons.
During the inspection, the locals confronted the property owner, who has purchased the property, demanding the permission he has obtained to build the wall.
Sarpanch Miranda later told the media that the retaining wall has been built without any permission from the panchayat body. He said the Panchayat would issue an order for the demolition of the wall.
Miranda, however, has made a fervent plea to the villagers not to sell their land to outsiders and create problems for the Panchayat body. “Many local people have sold their lands to outsiders without the knowledge of the Panchayat body. It is only when the buyers come to develop the property, many a problem surface and the locals end up blaming the panchayat,” he said.
The Sarpanch pointed out that the Panchayat had in the past written a letter to the Sub Registrar to intimate the Panchayat whenever any sale deed pertaining to village land is registered at the office. He, however, said the Sub Registrar's office has replied saying there’s no rule in place to intimate the panchayats in respect of sale deeds.
