TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: In yet another panchayat-legislator clash in Calangute, local MLA Michael Lobo on Tuesday supervised the demolition of three shops under construction by the Calangute panchayat at Calangute-Baga.
Denouncing the decision as “high handedness” by the MLA, a furious Joseph Sequeira has said the Calangute Panchayat will file an FIR with Calangute police against MLA Lobo and JCB owner for demolishing the shops.
The shops were being constructed along the connecting road to the Communidade pay parking lot at Saunta Vaddo, Calangute-Baga by a contractor. Lobo questioned the labourers engaged in the construction works and asked them to stop the work immediately.
The MLA then ordered the JCB owner to demolish the structure and shift the debris and other material in the parking area.
“The three shops were being illegally constructed in a private land leading to the pay parking lot in Comunidade plot without ownership or any approvals from Calangute Panchayat,” Lobo told Herald.
“The Calangute Communidade has given the land for parking, while the owner has given us the approach road for the purpose. The land acquisition process has already begun and I want the government to take possession of the land and collect parking fees.”
“I will not allow anyone to encroach or do any illegal construction either on the public roads or along the roads and it will be demolished without waiting for orders. Many illegalities are taking place and justice is being delayed, while waiting for orders of higher authorities. This was the right opportunity to send warning to those carrying out illegalities in Calangute and it will not be tolerated,” warned Lobo.
When contacted, Joseph Sequeira admitted that Calangute Panchayat was constructing three shops along the road entirely for the benefit of the locals.
“One shop was for Mahila members of self help group in Calangute, while another was for the plot owner. The third shop was for a village youth, Ralph Mascarenhas, whose shack was demolished by GTDC,” he said.
“Demolition of shops was the high-handedness on part of the Calangute MLA, as the shops were meant to benefit the villagers of Calangute. Will the Calangute MLA now demolish the illegal structures at his own hotel at Gaura Vaddo?”
“We have taken a resolution in our meeting and we are filing an FIR with Calangute police against MLA Lobo and JCB owner for demolishing the shops.”
“It’s surprising that the MLA took law in his own hands without following the due procedures of law. The high-handedness of Calangute MLA is a warning for the people of Calangute that ‘Achhe Din Anewale Hai’,” stated Sequeira.
