Team Herald
landlocked between the Raheja property, locals are demanding that the construction licence be revoked at the upcoming panchayat body meeting on Saturday.
Earlier during discussions the panchayat secretary had stated that it was TCP that had to check technical aspects and that the panchayat advocate had not made any reference to the cross and the well in his legal opinion advising the panchayat to grant construction licence.
Given that the TCP inspection confirmed flaws and the legal opinion is questionable as it failed to note the cross, locals argue that the site inspection based on which legal opinion was taken is dubious as it had not been sanctioned as per panchayat rules.
Villagers have asked the Salcete Block Development Officer (BDO) to shift Saturday’s panchayat meeting to the hall to allow people to be present. This crucial meeting could decide to revoke the construction licence.
Locals also criticised deputy sarpanch Orlando Da Silva for abstaining and countered recent statements issued by Da Silva to the media and said that they challenge him to debate them in public.
In discussions held with villagers and TCP on Wednesday, villagers listed various discrepancies like the FAR, access to surrounding properties not provided, roads of amalgamated sub-division plots not dismantled. Villagers also complained and demanded that a five-meter access along the river be kept for traditional fishermen.
Speaking to the media, Carmona Village Committee spokesperson Succorro Miranda said they will wait for the inspection report and subsequent action that will be initiated by TCP against the project as they had conveyed all the issues in detail.
When senior town planner James Mathews was asked by the media, if the TCP had earlier inspected the site physically while giving technical clearances in light of the objections, Matthew said they had but admitted that there could have been errors given the size of the property.
When asked by media persons if they would withdraw the construction licence, Mathews again said that as they have an opportunity to give a revised plan and correct the errors that have been listed by the villagers and reiterated that it was for the government to decide on withdrawing the construction licence.
