Team Herald
SANGUEM: The farmers having their agricultural plantations at Cotarli ward of Uguem Village Panchayat in Sanguem have bitterly decried of mushrooming allegedly illegal constructions on government land in the area despite several complaints by activists Santano Rodrigues and Constancio Mascarenhas.
The allegedly illegal constructions were carried on during the time when the land in question was sought to be acquired by the Government for IIT.
With top government authorities almost being positive to get the IIT at Cotarli village in Sanguem despite stiff opposition from farming community, some individuals tried to take the benefit of the open government land and began constructing residential structures in the deep interiors with no proper road access.
However, the allegedly illegal constructions were soon noticed by the farming community who were agitating against the IIT project in Sanguem. They filed a complaint before the Uguem Village Panchayat against two such constructions.
The complainants also produced photographic evidence of the allegedly illegal constructions and copies of Survey Records of the site to confirm its location on government owned land.
With no action coming from the Panchayat authorities, a complaint was later made to the Block Development Office, Sanguem and also to the Director of Panchayat for necessary action in the matter. Complainant Santano Rodrigues informed that copy of the complaint was also forwarded to the Office of Collector South for information.
Consequent to the complaint lodged before the Director of Panchayat, a site inspection was conducted by the Sanguem BDO alongwith the Complainants and the Panchayat officials.
However no much action followed after the site inspection which made the complainants to write fresh letters. This was followed with second site inspection. Yet no action of whatsoever nature is taken against the persons involved in the illegal constructions, Constancio Mascarenhas alleged.
Mascarenhas informed that over a period of time, the shape and size of the constructions have increased. A Dish Antenna is also seen in the locality nearby one of the structures. Pipes procured for internal wiring works is also seen dumped in the vicinity of the illegal structures, Mascarenhas, alleged further.
Santano Rodrigues alleged that it is a pity that government authorities permit the illegal constructions to flourish on government land despite complaints.
While initially there was just one structure, it has now increased to three and soon it will go on multiplying and turn into a mini township, claimed the complainants.
Sarpanch of Uguem Village Panchayat Arjun Naik showed his inability to act in the matter as the government officials are concerned with protection of government land.
The panchayat has already brought the matter to the notice of the BDO and it is for the higher authorities to act suitably and decide on the issue, claimed Naik.
The complainants Santano Rodrigues and Constancio Mascarenhas are now in the process of filing a complaint before Lokayukta to protect govt owned land.
