THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The Opposition Congress Party on Tuesday charged that the BJP-led Sawant government is all out to destroy the heritage site and holy precincts of Old Goa and demanded to immediately revoke the fraudulent permissions granted to a construction and to restore the sanctity of the heritage site.
Addressing a press conference along with Shriniwas Khalap and Royla Fernandes, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Spokesman Architect Tulio de Souza came down heavily on the illegal permanent RCC construction of ground plus one building going on within the precincts of St Cajetan Church, a protected monument area as per the Ancient monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act.
“Incidentally, this is one of the seven protected monuments recognised by the UNESCO as World Heritage Monuments in 1986,” he said.
“Although, the two Sale Deeds were executed, the two individuals one who happens to be the husband of BJP national spokesperson Shaina N C and the other who happens to be the wife of Goa Forward Party Treasurer Suraj Lotlikar, refused to reveal their identity for a fear of back lash and continued to fraudulently obtain all the statutory permissions in the name of the original owners. It appears that this fraud is not only limited to a portion of the plot purchased by Munot but another structure will be constructed in the portion purchased by Suvarna Lotlikar, which is clear from the plan attached to the Sale Deed,” said de Souza.
De Souza said that as per the law, the ASI does not permit any reconstruction of new construction in the protected area. At the most a repair of the existing structure is permitted as per ASI letter dated February 3, 2020. The plot also falls within 100 metres of the River Mandovi, which is No Development Zone and the same criteria of only repairs is allowed.
“But the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority illegally permitted a new construction licence letter dated February 28, 2015. The Conservation Committee also issued permission for reconstruction of a new building in total violation of the existing laws,” he charged.
