PORVORIM, JAN 30
Illegal construction activities within the jurisdiction of the panchayat dominated the proceedings of Penha-da-Franca Gram Sabha on Sunday.
Construction of the compound wall in the panchayat jurisdiction took most of the time of the gram sabha.
When Agnel Pereira sought to know who constructed the compound wall, Secretary M S Mardolkar informed that a person from Ekoshi had applied seeking permission for the repairs of his compound wall on September 14, 2010.
“Accordingly, the panchayat on September 21 issued him a letter permitting repairs of the compound wall with the condition that no new construction should be done in the area,” informed the secretary.
However, Pereira surprised everybody stating that that the property has been purchased by a private company and produced a Form I & XIV.
Further, Pereira gave another shock stating that there was no compound wall in the area and all the residents of Britona are aware of it.
“If permission was given for repairs of the compound wall, then how the land owner constructed new compound wall,” Pereira questioned the sarpanch since the area comes under CRZ and whether any permission was obtained by the owner from the Captain of Ports and CRZ authorities.
Neither Secretary M S Mardolkar nor Sarpanch Eknath Narvekar could answer the questions raised by Pereira.
During the discussions, one of the villagers informed that the property has been purchased by a politician and he plans to introduce luxury yacht services for tourists, due to which he has kept readymade Ladies and Gents toilets in the area and installed a readymade box office across the road.
On questioning, the sarpanch admitted that they issued provisional license to the readymade box office.
After heated discussion, it was resolved that the compound wall should be demolished and no permission for the construction of jetty to operate yatch for tourists should be given by panchayat unless and until the company owner submits approvals from the Captain of Ports and CRZ authorities.
Another issue that was hotly discussed was the construction of tin shed in Ward 8.
Pereira brought to the notice of the panchayat that a restaurant has been started on one side of the tin shed and on the other side of the tin shed, cement is being sold.
The sarpanch stated that the panchayat neither gave permission for the construction of tin shed nor the restaurant.
Panch Umesh Phadte stated that he had raised objection against the tin shed and restaurant long ago, but the secretary did not take action against the same as yet.
The villagers demanded demolition of the tin shed immediately.
Phadte further informed that in his ward, one mobile tower has been erected illegally but the secretary has not issued notice to him also.
Ganpat Sidhye informed that a lot of constructions have come up on the hillock at Britona.
“While preparing new Regional Plan, it was decided that no constructions should be allowed on the hill and this area was marked as ‘no development zone’. However, it has been observed that the panchyat has already issued construction licenses,” said Sidhye.
Bikhu Sawant, Anil Borkar, Olavo Braganza and other villagers participated in the discussions during the gram sabha held at Britona. The main subject of the gram sabha was the approval of the budget for 2011-12. However, this subject could not be discussed for want of time.
