TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Inspection of the controversial starred beach resort at Benaulim was called off at the eleventh hour on Friday, with officials of Salcete BDO maintaining that it would require time and manpower to complete the inspection work.
Locals, however, maintained that the authorities have shown no seriousness to crack a whip against the construction activity inside the hotel premises. Jose Rodrigues representing Benaulim Civic and Social Forum claimed that the NGO was literally pushed into filing the Public Interest Litigation in the high court for want of action by the authorities, including the Bio Diversity Board, CRZ, Panchayat authorities etc.
Friday’s inspection was fixed by the BDO office at around 12 noon, by the extension office in the BDO office arrived at the hotel premises only at 1.30 pm. After having a look at the hotel premises, the Extension Officer, S Desai said that it would require time and more than one engineer to carry out the Panchayat and sketch as per the instructions of the deputy Director of panchayat.
Jose Rodrigues told the media that work on the project site had been going on in full swing notwithstanding the submission made by the deputy Panchayat Director, South in the high court that the stop work order passed on October 18 will be implemented strictly in accordance with law. “None of the authorities have showed any seriousness in curbing the illegalities inside the hotel over the last two years”, he said, while seeking justice.
