Residents of Davondem have renewed their demand for action against an alleged unau thorised housing project, questioning the delay by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) in deciding the matter. A delegation met MMC Chief Officer on Tuesday and sought immediate in tervention to stop further construction if the project is found to violate munici pal regulations. Residents alleged that the project lacked the requisite mu nicipal permission and that meter sheets had not been cleared by the civic body. The Chief Officer said the matter had been referred for legal opinion and that the municipality would decide the further course of action after receiving it. Residents, however, said they had been approaching the authorities for months without concrete action.
Adv Seoula Vaz, who raised the issue on their be half, alleged that authorities had been giving assurances instead of acting on com plaints. She claimed similar unauthorised activities and violations existed in Fator da and urged inspections and action wherever viola tions were established. Resident Mavuin Guhinho questioned Fatorda MLA Vi jai Sardesai’s alleged failure to intervene, claiming he was favouring the builder. Guhinho also rejected claims that the protesting residents were BJP-backed, alleging that Sardesai had labelled them BJP support ers. He further raised con cerns over Regional Plan 2011 and alleged large-scale land conversions in Goa.
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Meanwhile, Sardesai, in his response, said, “We have already made it clear that we have suspended talks with the Congress, and our po sition remains unchanged. Some so-called political ana lysts are trying to label us as agents. I want to ask where these people were over the last two years, when we were repeatedly calling for unity?” Sardesai said he had al ready opposed the two pro jects and submitted a letter of objection to the concerned minister. He urged BJP sup porters opposing them to approach TCP Minister Vish wajit Rane, with the support of BJP state president Damu Naik, and demand that the land earmarked for both pro jects be declared a non-de velopment area.
He said he was unaware of the legal provision under which the private owner could be directed to remove shields erected on the prop erty and strongly denied that the builder had cam paigned with him, calling the allegation “totally false”. Residents have urged the MMC to obtain the le gal opinion at the earliest, take action if violations are established and ensure greater transparency in construction approvals.
