MAPUSA
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has directed the Collector (North) and Directorate of Panchayat to conduct a probe and submit a report on illegal construction carried out by people in government land at Bailo Uddo in Siolim by January 7, 2021.
The GCZMA took the decision after receiving a complaint from locals addressed to the Environment Secretary and the chairman of the coastal authority.
“The authority in its 239th meeting has decided to direct the Directorate of Panchayat and Collector, North to conduct a detailed inquiry on the illegal construction carried out by the people in property bearing survey no. 119 at Bailo Uddo, Siolim and submit a report by January 7, 2021,” said Dasharath Redkar, Member Secretary of GCZMA.
The Directorate of Vigilance has also requested the Superintendent of Police, Porvorim, Chief Electrical Engineer, Directorate of Panchayat and GCZMA to verify the allegations of illegal construction at Uddo, Siolim and submit a preliminary inquiry report to the directorate with their comments.
It may be recalled while verifying claims of Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) violation, the GCZMA after conducting an inspection had found that some locals were involved in illegal construction on government land on the banks of River Chapora at Uddo in Siolim.
The GCZMA had issued directions to the Collector, North to reclaim the government land to its original position and also imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh per structure on the persons involved in illegal construction activities near the Uddo beach.
The GCZMA after an inspection of the site had observed that construction of 20 rooms was being undertaken in the No Development Zone area in total violation of the CRZ notification 2011.
The coastal authority had then issued a stop-work order to the owners of the alleged illegal construction.
The authority had also directed the Siolim-Marna panchayat not to assess the offending structure for tax and further not to issue any NOC for electricity and water connection to the construction.
Surprisingly, despite the GCZMA direction the village panchayat of Siolim-Marna went ahead and issued a NOC for electricity connection to the structure.
The electricity department has also been working overtime in laying an underground electrical armoured cable to supply power to the construction.
