Call 1077 to report illegal land filling

PANJIM, MAY 18
 In a bid to put a check on illegal filling of low lying land and illegal constructions on slopes the State government has decided to set up two flying squads for North and South Goa which will take immediate action on the above incidents.
Disclosing this at a press conference, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the citizens will have to just dial a toll free number of 1077 to register their complaint of illegal filling of low lying land and illegal constructions on slopes.
“Any person can call the toll free number 1077 from Monday and complain about any illegal construction on hill slopes and filling up of low lying land,” Kamat said.
Kamat also said that a flying squads headed by a designated deputy collector in each district had been appointed to look into such complaints.
“A designated deputy collector would be in charge of the flying squad, which will be accompanied by surveyor draftsmen and police constables,” Kamat said adding “The flying squad had been empowered to ask for no objections certificates (NOCs) issued by respective departments and had the authority to stop illegal work on prima facie evidence available.”
Kamat has been repeatedly accused by the Goa Bachao Abhiyaan (GBA) and other leading non-governmental organizations of mischievously dragging his feet, especially when it came to taking action against illegal constructions mushrooming in the State.
However Kamat said he could not act earlier on such complaint as they happened in night or holidays.
“I have noticed that such violations generally take place at night or during holidays,” Kamat said adding “but this squad will be able to act any time and any day”.
Heritage buildings:  Chief Minister Digamabar Kamat said that the government will constitute a committee to prepare a list of heritage structures.
The committee will be set up under the chief town planner and will have representatives of Tourism Department and Art and Culture Department as its members.