MARGAO, MARCH 24
Carmona Panch Orlando Da Silva has charged the village Sarpanch for the failure to recall back the file of Mumbai-based real estate developer Rahejas as per the gram sabha resolution.
In fact, Da Silva claimed the Sarpanch Estaquio D’Costa has issued a so-called provisional license to the builder to commence work of the sub-division by showing a 10-meter road when the actual width of the existing road is less than four meters.
“The provisional NOC says that no secondary license will be issued until a 10-meter road is acquired and developed”, the Panch said, adding that this will result in demolition of the compound walls of the residents and reduction of the existing setbacks of their houses.
Referring to a news report in a section of the media that the controversial project of the Raheja’s of sub-dividing a huge property into various plots was approved by the gram sabha on Sunday, Orlando termed the news item as totally false, clarifying that no fresh discussion took place on the project at the meeting and that the secretary only read and confirmed the minutes of the last gram sabha meeting without a word of dissent from any gram sabha member or any discussion on the subject.
At the last Gram sabha meeting held in Dec 2009, a gram sabha member Antonio D’ Silva after prolonged deliberations and discussions proposed a resolution that the subdivision file of the said controversial project be called back from the TCP office and returned to the builder and this resolution was unanimously supported with a uproar and raising of hands by gram sabha members present but the Sarpanch gave his say that he would act as per laws in force.
Orlando said since the last 20 days after commencement of the subdivision work, the residents of the area have become victims of noise and dust pollution on this narrow road from the speeding trucks and heavy machinery equipments moving to the site.
“When the residents tried to intervene and demanded the presence of the Sarpanch at the site, the Sarpanch refused to come but instead filed a police complaint against the villagers at the Colva Police station”, he alleged and said the villagers are determined to take the sarpanch to the court by filing a writ petition in the high court.
