MARGAO
Notices issued by the PWD Executive Engineer to remove the kiosks at the Comba railway crossing have gone begging.
It will be seven months on Saturday since eviction notices were served upon the illegal gaddas operating near the railway crossing but all the kiosks continue to operate unfazed by the notices.
According to sources, the PWD officials have developed cold feet in initiating action against the kiosks due to political pressure.
Former Margao Municipal Chief Savio Coutinho told the media that several charges have been cited in the notice, including illegal encroachment of government property, hindrance to parking and smooth flow of traffic.
"Legally speaking, since the land encroached is government land, no notice was required. MMC could easily remove the structures by applying Section 174 of the Municipal Act," Coutinho said.
He added: "It is well-known to every Madgaonkar and people in the know, that nothing happens in Margao or rather, no government department in Margao dares to act upon any illegality without the nod of the Powers that be."
Given the situation, Coutinho wondered whether the notices were only issued to threaten the kiosk owners so that they support the powers that be in exchange of protection.
