‘Govt must take quick decision on Raheja’

The villagers have now demanded that the government expedite its decision on the Raheja issue.

With four of the seven Carmona panchas voting against a resolution to issue a show-cause notice to Raheja, the panchayat has decided to wait for the government to decide on the detailed inspection report submitted by the Town and Country Department (TCP). Senior town planners at the TCP Margao office have recommended that the government keep the housing project on hold till all issues are addressed by the respective departments.

While TCP chief town planner T Puttaraju stated that he has placed the file before the government, TCP Minister Francis D’Souza stated that he has not received the file and will comment only after he receives it.

While the Carmona villagers have pursued the matter with all government departments via the proper channels, the TCP sent their recommendations to the government one month ago. Not only have the villagers submitted memorandums to all departments or offices, including that of the TCP minister, but Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva had also submitted a memorandum to D’Souza, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and then Panchayat Minister Dayanand Mandrekar over a month ago.

It is significant to note that Carmona locals have also submitted memorandums to the South Goa district collector and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authortiy (GCZMA); the latter has also inspected the Raheja property. The TCP has written to the CRZ authority and the Public Works Department (PWD) to respond to the concerns raised by the villagers.

Senior town planners, in their report, have stated that the access road to the Raheja property is still a matter of concern.

It may be recalled that the TCP had revoked its technical clearance to the Curtorim hotel project after learning that the access road was not as per norms and after receiving confirmation from the PWD that it had no plan to widen the road.

In this case as well, the TCP has asked the PWD to furnish details on the road acquisition and if the department has plans to widen the road leading to the property.

TCP officials stated that that they have proposed to the government to keep the project on hold till the PWD and the CRZ submit their detailed report in writing. The TCP principal secretary in March 2014, raised similar concern over the road access. The TCP had eventually granted technical clearance after invoking a clause of the Goa Land Development and Building Regulations .

However, in its inspection report, the TCP had pointed out that, besides the cross and well in the Raheja property, which were not shown on the approved site plan, the carriage way of the tarred road from the property was found to be 3.5 – 3.6 metres.

At the gram sabha on October 12, Carmona villagers had passed a resolution that the panchayat should issue a show cause notice to Raheja, asking why it’s construction license should not be revoked. In the last two weeks, they held corner meetings, staged streetplays and participated in the musical protests at Tuem.

The locals were furious with the four panchas who voted against the show-cause notice on Thursday. The dharna at the panchayat premises and their stance that they were willing to get arrested was a testament to the high levels of anger and frustration that they felt.

They have questioned whether the government will act only if they come onto the street. They pointed out that their protests have been peaceful so far, but the government seems to be testing their patience and taking them for granted. They have also threatened to start litigation if they do not get justice soon.