Gauresh Sattarkar
QUEPEM: Despite the show cause notice and stop work order issued by the Deputy Collector South I, “unauthorised” hill cutting and land filling activities have resumed in Sirvoi-Quepem, causing considerable distress among local residents.
Prashant Naik Dessai, a member of Save Goa BioDiversity, told O Heraldo that these illegal activities are underway at two locations, specifically in Survey Nos. 62/3-A and 122/1C in Sirvoi.
He alleged that the hill cutting is being carried out with the backing of the some government departments and the local panchayat.
He said, “The High Court of Bombay at Goa had ruled against converting agricultural land into settlement zones and had directed the panchayats, mamlatdars, police inspectors, and deputy collectors to form flying squads to investigate complaints within an hour. Despite a complaint lodged on December 24, 2024, regarding the hill cutting, no action has been taken.”
Dessai questioned how hill cutting could be permitted in an area surrounded by agricultural fields, emphasising the potential problems for poor farmers if a project were to proceed there.
He further pointed out that the some government departments have not provided technical clearance, and neither has the panchayat issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the party concerned.
Deepti Naik, a panch member, stated that she was not informed about the unauthorised activity by either the land developer or the sarpanch, despite a stop work order.
She added that a person Santosh Phal Desai, who is alleged to be a key person developing the land, threatened her and instructed the operators of heavy earthmovers to resume work.
Naik claimed that the activity has been going on illegally for about six months, during which she has repeatedly raised objections and lodged complaints.
She informed the Sarpanch about the need to contact the flying squad for an inspection, but no action was taken.
Naik said that she then contacted the flying squad, who visited the site and issued a stay order. Regardless, the illegal activity has resumed recently. She plans to approach higher authorities to address the hill cutting and determine its legality.
Xeldem sarpanch Kavita Gawas Dessai said, “The panchayat will investigate the issue and take action if necessary, since the local body has not granted permission for the activity.”
It is pertinent to note that the Deputy Collector South I had issued a show cause notice cum stop work order to Santosh Phal Dessai, citing that an inspection by the flying squad revealed illegal hill cutting without the required permission from the TCP Department, violating Section 17 (A) of the TCP Act 1974.
Fal Dessai was directed to halt the activity and provide justification as to why action should not be taken against him. He was also instructed to appear before the Deputy Town Planner in Quepem with all necessary permissions, approvals, or licences within 48 hours, or face an FIR.
It may be recalled that last year, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had stated that the TCP or IPB only grants permission for hill cutting for specific projects, not for general purposes.
In September last year, TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane had also announced plans to amend regulations and impose fines up to Rs 1 crore for illegal hill cutting, following landslides in Kerala. He had noted that no permissions for hill cutting had been granted in the State in the six months.