Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant finally broke his silence on the ongoing controversy in the illegal construction at ASI-protected site in Old Goa, claiming that his government has nothing to do with the permission granted for the project.
“My government has not given permission for any illegal structure and if any such activity is taking place, I have not promoted it. If it is illegal let it be demolished but one has to understand that as far as private plot is concerned, someone has purchased it and he was close to a former minister who is now washing his hands off the matter,” the CM said, referring to Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai, who was the Minister for Town & Country Planning from 2017-2019.
The CM reiterated that neither he nor his party is linked to the project and no representation has come to him alleging the illegal construction. “Government will act based on complaints but I haven’t received any. Nevertheless, the concerned departments have been told to ascertain the permissions/ documents for the project. Instructions have been given to stop the work if any illegality is found,” Sawant said.
Meanwhile, Sardesai has claimed that the permissions were granted during the tenure of then TCP Minister late Francis D’Souza, while constructions began during the present TCP Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar’s tenure. He further clarified that when the GFP came to know about one of its leader’s links with the project, he was asked to step down from the post.
