PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has admitted an intervention application by Prof Anthony Rodrigues claiming that the 30,000 square metres of land at Sonsoddo, Margao was acquired for common burial ground.
While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by Muzaffar Manzoor Kadri, the Court on Tuesday asked the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) to examine the matter and submit compliance report on December 6, after Prof Rodrigues referred to the proceedings before the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) about providing approximately 1,000 square metres of land as burial facility for other communities at the site where kabrastan is proposed.
According to intervener Prof Rodrigues, the government had acquired 30,000 square metres of land at Sonsoddo for burial ground and has objected to the government’s decision to allot it only for proposed kabrastan. He has prayed that the land be used commonly for all communities.
Prof Rodrigues said that as per the agreement for management and maintenance dated December 9, 2011, it has been clearly mentioned that the Margao municipal council had passed a resolution to acquire the land for three communities. He said that the resolution was later modified to the effect that the land will be utilised for burial ground for Muslim community, which he claimed was illegal.
The GSUDA informed the Court that it has appointed M/s Rahul Deshpande & Associates as the consultant in order to prepare a Detail Project Report (DPR) within 30 days. Once the DPR is received, the GSUDA will process further tendering of the work, which is expected to be completed by May 31, next year.
