The issue came to light during the calling attention motion moved by Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte, who brought to the notice of the House about the allegedly illegal land filling by Milestone Properties at Salvador-do-Mundo, Porvorim, where the company has indulged in rampant and reckless cutting of mangroves in the eco-sensitive areas at Charmanas leading to a proposed jetty.
“Illegal land filling has altered the water course thereby flooding fields with saline water leading to threat to the lives of the people having houses on the river bank,” Khaunte said, alleging that lack of co-ordination amongst various departments including Town and Country Planning, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, Department of Science and Technology has further raised concerns and worries for the locals.
The MLA was supported by former Chief Minister and Congress MLA Digambar Kamat and BJP MLA Michael Lobo, who pointed out flaws in the implementation of section 17-A of the TCP Act.
“It was my initiative, when in consultation with stakeholders I had amended section 17-A of the TCP Act making illegal land filling and illegal hill cutting cognizable offences, thereby booking persons involved in it,” Kamat told the House.
“There is no implementation of this section. There is complete negligence,” he alleged. Even Lobo, pointing to the fact that such illegal land filling is reported across the State, said that TCP fails to act against those involved in such illegalities.
Replying to the worries raised by his colleagues, D’Souza said that the illegalities being a cognizable offence, the police are bound to take action and TCP cannot do anything. The minister tried to defend his department, stating that as and when required TCP has acted.
Assuring to look into the issue raised by Khaunte, D’Souza said that police department has already registered an FIR in the matter and investigation is on. “The work has also been stopped,” he said.
D’ Souza said that as per the record, it is noticed that no technical clearance is issued for any kind of development in the said land nor any permission for filling of land is issued to any department or to the company.
