Team Herald
MAPUSA: The teams of Mapusa Municipal Council have resumed the anti-encroachment drive in their jurisdiction to clear the illegal encroachments in an open area and footpaths.
Earlier, the drive had been stopped following directions from the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA).
After enforcing the anti-encroachment drive for almost six days and clearing encroachment from major parts of the town, including the municipal market, the Director of Municipal Administration had directed the chief officer to refrain from seizing articles, goods and other valuables.
The directions were issued after a Mapusa resident Mahesh Rane filed an appeal before the DMA against the MMC Chief Officer in terms of Section 293 of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968 stating that the municipality is illegally, unlawfully, arbitrarily, and by using force, taking away the valuables belonging to shopkeepers and stall owners under the pretext of removing encroachments, and committed illegal thus and unlawful act.
The goods seized have to be returned to the shopkeepers after imposing fine. However the allegations were that the goods and articles were being haphazardly picked up and put in the truck while managing the same. It was mandatory on the part of the chief officer to make an inventory/ panchanama of the seized items/goods/articles during the course of any action.
“We have resumed the encroachment drive while following proper procedure and making an inventory of seized goods. In the order, no-where it was mentioned that the drive should be stopped completely but was asked to follow proper procedure while carrying out the drive,” Vice Chairperson Viraj Phadke said.
The drive was conducted in Morod, Bodgini, old Asilo and Pankar lane.
