MAPUSA: The Anjuna Comunidade has issued a notice to the organisers of India Bike Week (IBW) demanding a payment of Rs 20 lakh as charges for utilizing additional land for the event without obtaining prior permission. The Comunidade has warned of necessary action if the specified amount is not paid within three weeks.
The dispute arose when it came to the notice of the AnjunaComunidade that the organisers of India Bike Week had allegedly encroached upon extra land belonging to the Comunidade without obtaining proper authorization. The Gaonkars (local villagers) promptly raised the issue with the Comunidade committee, urging appropriate action against the event managers.
President of the Comunidade Dominic Pereira confirmed that “IBW was allotted 40,000 sqm of land for the event which was held on December 8 and 9, at the general body meeting of gaonkars held on November 5.”
“However, when gaonkars complained that IBW had occupied an additional 15,000 to 20,000sqm land. The survey was conducted on December 8itself and IBW has been asked to pay Rs 20 lakh. They have to reply within three weeks,” Pereira stated.
In response to the situation, the Gaonkars of Anjuna Comunidade convened a general meeting to address the matter comprehensively. During the meeting, a proposal was put forth and subsequently passed, mandating the event organisers to pay a sum of Rs 20 lakh as charges for utilizing the extra land without securing prior permission.
Failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe may result in further action by the AnjunaComunidade. Attorney of AnjunaComunidadeSeby D’Souza refused to comment on the news.
When contacted through the PR agency, India Bike Week organisers said they “can’t share any statement because of paucity of time.”
