PANJIM: A day after threatening to file FIRs against illegal conversion of land, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said the government would retain the sanctity of religious places by creating buffer zones around it.
While inspecting a huge construction project in Pilar, Sardesai said that the show cause notice would be issued to the builder who is coming up with the huge project next to Pillar Seminary.
The Pillar Seminary, which is one of the country’s finest religious institution, had raised objection to the building next to them, which was in clash with the institution.
Sardesai, who along with the team of TCP officials inspected the site of Milroc Colina along with Silveira, representatives of Pillar Seminary and TCP officials, said that St Andre MLA Francis Silveira had raised the issue in the Assembly and he had promised action.
“I am delayed in taking action but nonetheless we will do the needful now,” he said adding “We will issue show cause notice to the builder. We will list out all the illegalities committed by the builder. The builder may have permissions but if we find even one illegality we will revoke the permissions. The issue would be placed before TCP Board meeting on December 11,” the minister said.
The minister was critical of the Congress yet again and said the local Congress MLA Francis Silveira was a mute spectator.
“These are the deeds of Congress,” Sardesai said pointing to permissions for the project.
He said his department will ensure there would be a buffer zone for the constructions near the religious places. Sardesai recalled that he has also taken up an issue of huge bungalows being constructed next to Curca Church, which is an Architectural marvel.
Referring to the issue of Pillar, Sardesai said “we are with the people. We are with the Pillar seminary. Even if there is any slight deviation then we will stop it,” Sardesai said.
He pointed out that the Congress party in its Regional Plan 2021 had allowed the building next to the Pillar Seminary.
“We need to work by respecting the local sentiments. We need planned development but we need to consider local sentiments too,” he said.
The minister said that the upcoming building would be an eye soar for Pillar. “It will also be a load on the village and complete demographic disturbance in pattern of quaint Goan village,” he added.
Sardesai said that the Pillar institution has done lots for the people.
“These builders are not from Goa. They don’t understand sensibility. Last one year this issue has been going on. This is a government that works. We are not impotent government,” he added.
“I have been a very unconventional minister. Carmona Raheja project, I closed down. I asked people to give alternative. No alternative has come. I have taken strong stands and pro people’s stand. Nobody can find fault in what we have done,” he said.
“I am an activist who has become minister. I have not changed. I am the same. I don’t even meet builders. Wherever you require development, it has to happen. If you have horizontal development, then Goa will not be green,” he added.
Local MLA Francis Silveira said that when Pillar society had written letter to me, I had approached the last government.
“Sardesai had also promised me that he will close down the project if there are illegalities,” he added.
