PANJIM: Almost every Revenue Minister in the State of Goa has pushed for regularization of illegal constructions, whether on Government or Communidade land. The High Court order to remove all illegal constructions on communidade land comes as a severe castigation to politicians who support squatters. Herald Media asked people, after this judgement, “Do you believe that government will stop all illegal constructions as per court orders?”
This is debatable in the first place. They may act on some illegal construction where the people are powerless. They will act against those who don’t have money, connections, etc. They will definitely knowingly not act against powerful people. Secondly, they will mostly act against illegalities, done by Goans. They will not act against especially Delhi parties who have connection with the Centre. If government thinks they can come down heavily on illegal structures, and construction, they should come clean with regard to Bhutani project. Till date they are not acting against Bhutani despite being shown that everything about the project is illegal.
Anthony D'Silva, Social Activist
The Goa Government has decided to bring in an Act –The Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Constructions Act to regularize unauthorized structures upto 1000 sqm in urban areas and 600 sqm in rural areas. It appears to me this act is meant to make illegal structures, legal. What other motive can there be? The vote bank angle will be there, they will not abandon their vote bank at any cost. Since if they abandon their vote bank by demolishing their illegal structures, they will not get the votes, to come back to power. In this kind of a situation, who gets targeted? The opponent, the whistleblower or any other person who raises this issue. He or she gets targeted first.
Mariano Ferrao, Social Activist
The government has woken up after getting ‘Chabuk’ from the Court. Earlier there have been many orders and government officials have even violated court orders. It is the duty of all the government officers and the government to obey the orders of the court. Why is the government in office – it is for the benefit of the people. Why is there a High Court? To give justice to the people. Whenever there is injustice against anyone, he or she goes to court. And after going to court, the hope of justice which I have that the court gives. And it is the court which tells the government to demolish the illegal structures. The government has woken up now. But previously there are so many orders, which the government has not implemented.
Tanoj Advalpalkar, Social Activist