Team Herald
PORVORIM: Cunchelim comunidade attorney Yeshwant Gawandalker has alleged that large-scale encroachments on comunidade land has been taking place since 2012 with the blessings of politicians and government officials.
He stated that the Cunchelim comunidade, in 2012, had decided to demolish 28 houses that had been constructed in survey no 17 without obtaining permission from the comunidade and the Mapusa municipality. Accordingly, notices were issued to the unauthorized constructions, but since there was pressure from the government, the comunidade could not proceed with the demolition. He claimed that over 100 houses have been now been built in survey no 17.
Gawandalker further stated that the comunidade had written letters to the revenue minister, administrator of comunidades, chief officer of Mapusa municipality, and the Bardez deputy collector about the issue, but they have not taken any action against the illegal structures or even replied to the comunidade.
“Houses of 100 sq mts are being built and sold at Rs 4 lakh. The cost of the land as per a government notification is around Rs 3000 per sq mt, while the land in that area is being sold at Rs 10,000 per sq mt. Since the government is going to regularise illegal constructions on comunidade land, there has been a rise in encroachments. These houses are being constructed with the blessings of politicians and government officials,” said Gawandalker.
