TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: The Cavelossim village Panchayat along with local NGO Cavelossim Villagers Forum on Friday conducted inspection of a setback area of starred hotel following complaints of encroachment and illegalities.
After the inspection, Sarpanch Viola D’Costa told the media that the Panchayat would compile a report based on the findings and forward the same to the higher authorities for action. She said the inspection team noticed four poles and a chimney in the setback area, adding that the higher authorities will be asked to initiate the necessary action.
President of Cavelossim villagers Forum Iris Pasianha said the NGO had called for the inspection since the hotel had installed a chimney with footings on the ground in the setback area. “We have been demanding the removal of the encroachments and structures from the setback area, but in vain. We hope the Panchayat will initiate action against all unauthorised structures, including the poles erected for the chimney”, he said. When the media contacted a senior official of the hotel, he persistently declined to comment on the inspection or the allegations of encroachments on the setback area.
Meanwhile, a local resident Dennis Dias told the media that ship building activities in the village is causing nuisance to the villagers. He said the workers putting up at the ship building premises have no sanitary facilities. “There’s neither no sanitation nor bathing facilities provided for the labourers. In its absence, the labourers answer their nature’s call on the beach, causing pollution and nuisance”, Dennis said.
Panchayat ward member James Barretto lamented that the Panchayat has not initiated any action against the ship building activity. “Inspite of telling the body, nothing has been done. No notice has been on the owners. My people called me to say they are having power and health problems”, he said.
