Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Vigilance Department to bring the complaint filed by Jitesh Kamat concerning the works related to the St Francis Xavier Exposition at Old Goa to its logical conclusion.
The Vigilance Department has already instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to conduct a site inspection of the works and submit a detailed report, which will guide further actions.
In his public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition, Jitesh Kamat, a resident of Mapusa, alleged manipulation in the 47 works tendered by the PWD’s Executive Engineer, Works Division V, for providing facilities during the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier. Kamat sought an investigation by the PWD and Vigilance Department to identify those responsible for the alleged irregularities.
He further requested that independent technical experts take measurements of the semi-permanent and temporary works executed for the Exposition and adjust contractor payments accordingly. Kamat also recommended forming a team of experts from Goa College of Engineering, Farmagudi, and other institutions to conduct this assessment.
Initially, the Court had refused to entertain the PIL, citing Kamat’s own role as a PWD contractor. However, when Additional Government Advocate Pravin Faldessai confirmed that the petition
was forwarded to the Vigilance Department as a complaint, the Court ordered a site inspection by the PWD. The inspection report must be submitted to the Vigilance Department before dismantling any structures.
The PIL was subsequently disposed of by
the Court.
Dy Collector cracks down on illegal encroachments within heritage site
Team Herald
PANJIM: The Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Tiswadi-Panjim has issued show cause notices to 54 individuals, asking why encroachments within the heritage site of Old Goa should not be demolished.
The notices come after the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by John Baptista Mascarenhas, seeking action against illegal encroachments and commercial activities taking place in restricted areas around the World Heritage monuments in Old Goa. Following the court's direction, the Tiswadi Mamlatdar conducted a survey and submitted a report for appropriate action.
The survey has identified 54 illegal structures/encroachments in the area, some of which were allegedly carried out by former Minister Pandurang Madkaikar, former Se Old Goa Sarpanch Nilkanth Bhomkar, the Se Old Goa village panchayat, and the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC).
In response, the Deputy Collector and SDO have issued show cause notices to these individuals, asking them to explain why their encroachments should not be removed. They have also been asked to provide any relevant documents, failing which the encroachments will be demolished. The Se Old Goa village panchayat has also issued similar notices to those involved.
The petitioner has further requested that the land be restored to its original condition by removing the illegal encroachments.
In a separate development, the North Goa Collector has also directed all the stalls in and around the venue at Old Goa to be closed by 9:30 pm on Friday, December 27, in order to ensure smooth movement of public and vehicular traffic during the performance by the Shillong Chamber Choir and 3D Projection Mapping Sound and Visual show scheduled from 7 pm to 10 pm at Se Cathedral lawns.