TEAM HERALD

MARGAO: Dramapur-Sirlim Panchayat’s move to remove the two scrap yards on the banks of River Sal at Jackniband has suffered a setback.

Additional Director of Panchayats Gopal A Parsekar has quashed and set aside the final notice issued by the Panchayat to demolish the scrap yard on grounds that a village Sarpanch has no jurisdiction to issue the final notice.

While remanding the matter back to the village panchayat, the Additional Panchayat Director quoted a High Court ruling which had held that a Sarpanch has no jurisdiction to issue a demolition notice.

In the meantime, taking the setback in its stride, the Dramapur Secretary has issued fresh directions to the two scrap yard owners to remove the unauthorised scrap dumped and restore the land to its original position within seven days.

Panchayat Secretary Sanjeev Naik has warned that the Panchayat will initiate further necessary action to remove the illegal scrap yards in the event the owners fail to comply with the directions.

Sarpanch Domnick Noronha has said the Panchayat is determined to get the two scrap yards removed from the banks of river Sal. He has also questioned the Mamlatdar authorities for its failure 

to comment on the legal status of the two scrap yards in the inquiry report submitted to the Sub-divisional Magistrate, 

Margao.