CUNCOLIM: Balli talathi has reportedly ‘sold’ 20-point programme plots, meant for poor local villagers, to outsiders for Rs 1 lakh each.
After the Assembly elections were announced, some eight houses were built on plots demarcated under 20-point programme, at Takwada Ambaulim of Balli panchayat.
On noticing the development, Balli Sarpanch Alka Potdar, panchayat officials and locals inspected the site, recently. On questioning those who have constructed houses, the sarpanch learnt that the talathi had permitted them to build houses on 100 square meter plots. The encroachers reportedly paid Rs 1 lakh per plot to the talathi. The sarpanch also noticed that some encroachers were occupying two or three plots.
Taking strong action against the encroachers, the panchayat has demolished four houses so far.
Sarpanch Potdar has vowed to demolish the remaining illegal structures and request the BDO and other authorities concerned to conduct an enquiry to unearth who collected money from the encroachers.
Meanwhile, the villagers have expressed anger that the authorities haven’t taken action against the alleged ‘selling’ of 20-point programme plots despite them submitting a memorandum demanding immediate action.
The villagers are also angry that when there are many villagers in Balli panchayat area without their own house, the talathi has ‘sold’ out the 20-point programme plots to people who are not natives of Balli.
