TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: As the sword of Damocles hangs over the residents of Moti Dongor with the High Court deadline for survey and demolition of the illegal structures expiring on February 9, the countdown has begun for Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar to take a final call on the contentious issue.
Will Parrikar order razing down of the structures with a stroke of pen a la Baina or will he work out a solution after initiating action against the structures? “My government has not decided anything on the matter. The file will come to me by next week and a decision may be taken on the issue by January 10”, Parrikar told Herald.
The Chief Minister did not clearly speak out his mind out on the issue, saying that the government did not take any decision on the South Goa District Collector’s report in view of the intervening Christmas and New Year festivities.
“Any tough action would have necessitated police force to maintain law and order. We cannot afford to spare the security during the Christmas and New Year festivities”, he said.
The Chief Minister said the government is serious and wants to convey a message loud and clear on the question of encroachments on government and comunidade land. But, at the same time, he said the government might give the parties the opportunity of hearing before taking a final decision.
South Goa District Collector N D Agrawal had forwarded a confidential report on the survey of the structures standing atop Moti Dongor for guidance and action. Though the report was submitted a month ago to the Revenue Department, no decision yet has been taken by the government till date.
Says District Collector, N D Agrawal: “I have submitted the survey report listing the number of structures on the hillock to the government for further action. It was the government which had filed the affidavit in the High Court, giving an undertaking to conduct a survey and initiate action against the structures within six months”, he said.
