Team Herald
ASSAGAO/SIOLIM: The village panchayats of Siolim Marna and Assagao are all set to enforce the High Court order with regards to action against illegal and roadside structures.
Sarpanchas of both villages conducted special awareness meetings informing the people about the drive and to ensure that the High Court order was followed in letter and spirit.
The awareness meet was held in Assagao on April 1, and in Siolim on April 2.
The Assagao meet was attended by a large number of villagers.
Assagao Talathi and Assagao Comunidade office bearers were also present.
Attorney of Assagao Comunidade Nelson Fernandes told the villagers that the comunidade would be going hammer and tongs against all illegalities on Comunidade land and if required he would seek police protection.
However, sarpanch Hanumant Naik requested him not to use police force as Assagao people were peace-loving and would voluntarily oblige in helping with the demolitions.
At Siolim, Fatima Fernandes, a local, sought to know the fate of roadside houses .
She demanded that the Regional Plan 2021 provision of mandating road width of 25 metres be scrapped as Siolim did not want such a wide road and the villagers were happy with a 10-metre wide road and stressed that the basic fabric of Siolim as a village should be preserved.
There was panic among many villagers as there are large properties in Siolim that are either evacuee property or government land and constructions on such land are now having a Damocles sword hanging over them.
Panchayat secretary Premanand Mandrekar assured the locals that the panchayat would be strictly going as per the High Court order and there would be no revenge politics.
He said that the public would be updated based on monthly reports about any such illegal constructions and now after an inspection of all existing illegal structures, a report would be submitted to the Bardez Block Development Officer, who in turn, will submit it to the Deputy Collector, who would be heading the demolition squad.
Gregory D’Souza sought to know why no technical person particularly from the PWD was present as they could be in a better position to explain to the people regarding all roadside constructions.
Amrut Agarwadekar also posed a similar query.
Flying squads formed in all talukas
to curb illegal land activities
PANJIM: District Magistrate North and South Goa have constituted flying squads at the taluka level to tackle illegal land filling, hill cutting, and unauthorized constructions in compliance with the High Court order of March 6.
These squads are expected to act within an hour of receiving complaints, conduct inspections, and report violations to authorities. Govt has asked citizens to report such activities on the emergency helpline 100.