Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa Governor Mridula Sinha has asked Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma to take appropriate action on the complaint filed by advocate Aires Rodrigues against the bungalow built by Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar at Old Goa.
The Governor’s direction came after receiving a complaint from Rodrigues that Madkaikar’s company, Nikitasha Realtors Pvt Ltd, in violation of law had built a huge palatial bungalow in survey No 144/1 and 144/2 at Old Goa within the prohibited 300 metres from the Centrally Protected Monument Basilica of Bom Jesus, with the compound wall of the bungalow less than 50 metres from the protected monument.
Rodrigues in his letter on April 9, 2018 addressed to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Goa Circle, a copy of which was sent to Goa Governor and the Prime Minister, had demanded immediate action against the alleged illegality.
ASI in its reply informed Rodrigues that it does not have the magisterial powers, either for removal of encroachment or for demolition of illegal structures, and asked him to approach the local authorities for further action in the matter.
Rodrigues was also informed that by a letter dated November 3, 2015, ASI had asked Old Goa Police to register an FIR against Madkaikar over the unauthorised compound wall and that a copy of that letter was also endorsed to the local authorities, including the North Goa Collector and the local Panchayat, but that no action was taken.
