This is how the high and mighty and the influential stompaway on the law and get away with deceit.
A top hotel chain has bought over an old hotel property atCalvado, Benaulim, applied for renovation licence and after obtaining it,demolished the hotel and began reconstructing the same.
In November, the Gram Sabha in Benaulim witnessed a hugeuproar with the new Sarpanch, Royla Fernandes leading a fight against thestarred hotel for carrying reconstruction of the hotel on a Rs 500 renovationlicence.
The old hotel, which first started as Benaulim Beach Resort,changed many hands and was finally bought by The Triumph Group that runs theOberoi Hotel. It applied for a renovation licence in 2011.
“The Oberoi group found a loophole in the law and appliedfor renovation licence for a meager sum of Rs 500. By doing so it managed toskip the infrastructure tax for a new construction. Under this licence, Triumphpulled down the entire hotel and has started reconstruction with major CRZviolations,” said RoqueVaz, a taxi driver turned activist in the region.
The Sarpanch, Royla Fernandes in November pointed out thatshe was surprised at the illegalities carried out during the term of theprevious panchayat body.
“The previous panchayat body was responsible for the mess.The hotel needs to send its reconstruction plans which can get a nod only aftera gram sabha resolution is passed and the TCP clears the file,” BenaulimSarpanch Royla Fernandes had stated then. The Coastal Management Zone has alsoto inspect the matter, she added.
But surprisingly, the Sarpanch now has become silent. Sherefuses to comment on the issue.
The Sarpanch is accussed by the villagers of not issuing astop order, even as the work of the hotel continues in full swing.
The illegal construction of the hotel is back in the news,as over 200 workers working at the hotel construction site has set up shantiesright on the Benaulim beach. Further these workers openly defacate on thebeach.
Tourists visiting the beach are believed to have fled fromthe area due to unstoppable stink and dirt on the beach.
Last Thursday, when the Benaulim panchayat, Talathi, A Parabcame to carry out an inspection, based on a complaint filed by the DeputyCollector Mr Surendera Naik, stomped over human excreta on the beach.
“We have received telephonic complaints and thereforecarried out an inspection. But no action can be initiated until we receive theTalathi report,” the South Goa DeputyCollector said.
After the hue and cry and the talathi’s inspection, thebuilder has installed one mobile toilet for 200 people in the area.
For mysterious reasons, neither the deputy sarpanch who isthe panch of Calvaddo nor the Sarpanch wants to initiate any action against thehotel, in spite of the Gram Sabha resolution to issue stop work orders.
It now appears a clear case of the civic body colluding withthe builder in carrying out the illegality.
The Benaulim Panchayat in its Gram Sabha resolution had alsopleaded for a vigilance probe in the matter and also urged to cancelpermissions granted to the hotel.
The issue first came to light when former Benaulim MLA,Churchill Alemao had raised the issue of CRZ violation in August 2012. LaterBenaulim MLA, Caitu D’Silva also opposed the reconstruction on a differentlicence in November 2012.
But Caitu appears to have changed his stance and pointed outto The Goan: “The Sarpanch has assured to issue stop work orders. I am not sureif it has reached the hotel office in New Delhi. Also I think the panchayat haswritten to the departments to cancel their water and electricity connection.The onus is on the panchayat body and not me.”
