The State government inquiry into the allegedly illegal occupation of shops in the Panjim market had clearly brought out the responsibility of several municipal corporators and CCP officials. It also clearly pointed out that 90 per cent of those occupying shops in the market are doing so illegally.
The inquiry report by former collector N D Agrawal, submitted to the CCP in mid 2013, has brought out the role played by then CCP Commissioner Melwyn Vaz, CCP officials J S Colaco and H S Signapurkar, along with some elected corporators as being responsible for the irregularities in shop allotment.
It held that nearly 800 shops were found to be illegally occupied in the market. According to the report, notices were issued to 778 people and 609 had responded.
According to the report, some shopkeepers were illegally allotted the shops, and – even worse – many occupancy letters were allegedly issued by forging Vaz’s signature after his transfer from the CCP. It also alleges that there were bifurcations of shops and even some illegal construction of additional shops.
The originally allotted shopkeepers had sold or subleased their shops to others, which is not allowed as per the provisions of the Goa Municipality Act, 1968.
The Panjim market was constructed by the Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation in two different phases in 2003 and 2007.
