Team Herald
CUNCOLIM: Cuncolim Municipal Council Chief Officer Shankar Gaonkar sealed eight illegal structures in Panzorconi ward of the municipality.
Acting tough on illegal structures, Gaonkar along with other officers and a team of police sealed eight illegal structures and served show cause notice to other two illegal houses. Months back the council had sealed an illegal structure.
Some occupants of illegal houses tried to protest against council’s decision.
Speaking to the media, Gaonkar said one Sania Furtado, the owner of the orchard land had filed complaint against illegal structures. Acting on the complaint of Furtado, the Council sealed eight structures while two owners have been issued show cause notices.
Gaonkar said that despite Council’s notice, some locals had continued with illegal construction activity. “We had warned those involved in illegalities to stop it, but they failed to respect council’s order. So, no other option was left before us than to seal the illegal structures,” Gaonkar said.
Municipal officer said that on the hilly area more than twenty illegal structures are coming up. “The land belonging to some private owner and there is danger of landslides at this area,” they said.
Meanwhile, the municipal chief officer alleged that some councillors were trying to shield illegal structures. “I will not succumb to any pressure. I will act tough on illegal structures and will not hesitate to demolish illegal houses,” Gaonkar warned.
Meanwhile, some of the house owners alleged that the chief officer had demanded bribe to legalise their houses and since they had not paid the bribe, the chief officer was targeting them.
