Pratik Parab
Against the backdrop of opposition from a section of the Muslim community, the Kabrastan issue of Margao has come back to light and this time, a Right to Information copy from the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has proven that no Kabrastan can exist on the much discussed land near Sonsoddo due to the gradient and the nature of the land. This development has now raised the question of what has happened to the 99,500 sq mt land in Aquem which was allotted to the crematorium and burial grounds of three religions during the Congress regime in Goa.
The SGPDA in the RTI says, the case was discussed in the 57th authority meeting held on 23 September 2014. It deliberated amongst the members and noted that the land under reference is hilly and cannot be developed. The Authority Members have also requested that a joint inspection of the site shall be called along with the Chief Architect and the Project Proponent for a Final decision. Meanwhile, it was also revealed that the Public Works Department (PWD) has, as well rejected the proposal and has mentioned that the land has a 70 degree gradient and hence cannot be developed.
During the Congress regime, comunidade land behind Pandava Chapel admeasuring 99,500 sq mts was acquired and was decided to be given to Hindus, Muslims and Christians in three equal parts. This decision was taken by the Cabinet of the then Congress Government. After the land at the Pajifond burial ground was exhausted, several Masjid Committees had put forward the proposition for new land to the Government.
The decision taken in the Cabinet meeting is the final word of the Government and cannot be either overruled or bypassed. However, in 2010, the then MMC Chairperson John, Fernandes presented the proposal at the MMC Council Meet once more and it was passed unanimously. Eventually, the proposed land went back into cold storage and never came back again.
While speaking to Matin Carol, he said that he has all the RTI documents and also revealed that several builders and capitalists are waiting to feast on the land which was previously allotted at Aquem. That is the reason the land has been systematically set aside and the land near Sonsoddo is being put forth.
The Muslim Associations of highest order in Goa and India have rejected the land near Sonsodo due to the dirty environment around. The land near Sonsodo was acquired by the Former Collector of South Goa and later it was revealed that the land is not suitable for development. Presently, there has been no definite procedure moved for the land near Sonsoddo and the issue of the land crunch for the burial ground for Muslims hangs in mid air.
