OLD GOA
Acting on the directions by North Goa deputy collector, the Santa Cruz panchayat cleared encroachments and extensions of kiosk owners and vendors operating outside the GMC complex at Bambolim on Tuesday.
The action comes as the panchayat has been directed to act against the encroachments in view of the forthcoming G20 summit.
The drive was led by Sarpanch Jennifer Oliveira and Deputy Sarpanch Domnic Pereira along with the panchas. Panchayat secretary Mahesh Naik along with the panchayat staff was also present.
On target were the Deen Dayal kiosks as well as the vendors who were provided shops at the rehabilitation project.
The containers and other items of the Deen Dayal kiosk owners extending beyond their space were confiscated, as well as the fruits and baskets of the rehabilitated vendors as they encroached onto the footpath.
Later, speaking to reporters, Deputy Sarpanch Domnic Pereira said that the drive would not be confined only to G20 summit but will be continued henceforth.
“The panchayat will not allow such encroachments from now on and will take action not only outside the GMC but in the entire village,” Pereira informed while adding that the panchayat won’t stop till the time that the kiosk owners or vendors maintain discipline.
“The footpaths are meant for the public and cannot be encroached upon by the kiosk owners and vendors,” Pereira added.
Minor setback over
jurisdiction of kiosk
Even as the Santa Cruz panchayat was successful in clearing the encroachments and extensions outside the GMC, the authorities faced a minor hiccup as its jurisdiction was questioned when they went to act against a kiosk located along the roadside between the GMC and the multi-speciality hospitals.
When the panchayat authorities reached one among the three kiosks, a Bambolim local questioned the jurisdiction of the Santa Cruz panchayat in taking action as he said that the area comes under Curca panchayat.
Heated arguments then ensued between the local and the Santa Cruz panchayat authorities as the local also asked for demolition notice.
The panchayat authorities had to return without demolishing the kiosk but Deputy Sarpanch Domnic Pereira said that a notice has now been served to the owner giving three days time to demolish the kiosk.
“If, within three days, the kiosk is not demolished the panchayat will do the needful,” Pereira informed while adding that the area comes under Santa Cruz VP jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Pereira also informed that the panchayat would file a complaint with the Old Goa police after a former deputy sarpanch of Curca took away some confiscated items kept in the Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
“The person apparently came with two others and informed the panchayat workers that he is the sarpanch and took away confiscated items,” Pereira added and informed that the panchayat authorities would lodge a complaint with the Old Goa police in the matter.
