MAPUSA
While the task to prove the allegations on the legality of the ‘Silly Souls Café & Bar’ and its links to the family of Union Minister Smriti Irani appears arduous and may take time considering the bureaucratic system that is involved, social activist Aires Rodrigues on Tuesday alleged that officials at the Town & Country Planning (TCP) department were being pressurized not to act against the controversial cafe and bar in Assagao.
Acting on a complaint made by the social activist last month, Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik had directed the North Goa Senior Town Planner R K Pandita to inspect and take urgent necessary action in the matter.
“For last 10 days the senior town planner has not initiated any action in the matter clearly indicating that the official was shying away from taking a decision on the issue,” Rodrigues alleged.
While the State Excise Commissioner has initiated an inquiry into the complaint filed by the social activist over the illegal liquor license issued to the restaurant with the next hearing scheduled on August 22, the Mapusa Block Development Officer Shivprasad Naik on the directions of the Director of Panchayats had issued a notice to the Secretary of Assagao panchayat to produce all documents in connection with the cafe and bar within seven days.
According to Rodrigues, the cafe and bar has been allegedly built without obtaining the necessary permissions from the local panchayat and other authorities.
The social activist hoped that the truth in the case would soon surface so that the guilty are made to face the rigors of law for all the gross illegalities at the Silly Souls Café & Bar which have been allegedly committed with the political patronage of senior BJP leaders.
