BASTORA: Bastora Comunidade on Monday acted swiftly against a tenant from Bastora for illegally filling a fertile paddy field in Xell, Bastora with mud and converting it for non-agricultural purpose.
On receiving and verifying the complaint made by a local regarding illegal activity being carried out in Survey No 129/7 the comunidade called the flying squad. The Mapusa Police have also registered an FIR against the tenant. A paddy field cannot be converted into an orchard land by filling mud by any person. The act committed is in contravention of Sec 17 (A) of the Town and Country Planning Act and the rules and regulations made there under.
Earlier in January 2018, the flying squad was informed about this illegal activity being carried out in the same survey number and following an inspection it was noticed that land filling was carried out in the low lying area and the activity which is in violation of provisions of Sec 17 (A) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1974 and the rules and other regulations.
A stop work order was also issued by the Collector of North Goa, Flying Squad section at Panjim. The concerned person was directed to stop the said work and explain as to why action should not be taken against him.
Seeing no action being taken in the matter on July 17, the Managing Committee of the Comunidade of Bastora made a written complaint to the Town and Country Planning Department at Mapusa requesting for an FIR to be registered under Sec 17 (A).
The Attorney of Bastora Comunidade, Collin Monteiro informed Herald that earlier despite being warned not to fill the field in the past yet the tenant had brought an earthmoving machine to level the mud on Monday morning.
“On the basis of the old complaint asking for an FIR to be registered, the Mapusa Police did the needful on Monday. We have made five other complaints related to filling of paddy fields belonging to the comunidade being undertaken in the village,” Monteiro said.
The vice-president of Bastora Comunidade said that villagers should be aware that the comunidade will be vigilant about such activities in the future and should refrain from doing so.
Mapusa PI Tushar Lotlikar confirmed that on Monday an FIR in the said matter has been registered under Sec 17 (A) of the Town and Country Planning Act. The JCB machinery used in the said activity has also been attached.
