TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: In a decision that will have a bearing on the fate of the illegal structures on Comunidade land atop the Talzanzor hillock, Margao, the Margao Communidade on Sunday firmly rejected any proposal from the government or individuals for regularisation of the 112 structures atop the hillock.
The Margao Comunidade decision on Sunday comes against the backdrop of the hearing fixed by the Administrator of Comunidades, South on June 4-5 to decide the fate of the illegal structures at both Talsanzor and adjoining Moti Dongor.
After the extra ordinary general body meeting held at the Margao Comunidade office at the Old Market this morning, President Savio Corriea told Herald that the members were unanimous in their opinion that the Comunidade should not accept any proposal to legalise the illegal structures on grounds that what is illegal cannot be legalised.
“This extra ordinary general body meeting was convened to elicit opinion of the general body whether illegal constructions should be regularised or not under 372-A of the Code of Comunidades. The meeting was in pursuance of the directions of the High Court after the government maintained that the opinion of the Comunidade would be obtained before taking a decision on the regularisation of the structures. Members unanimously opposed the proposed of legalising the illegalities”, Savio asserted.
Margao Communidade Attorney Celestino Norohna said the Comuniade has decided for a blanket rejection of the proposal for regularisation. “There was a petition made by the economically weaker section Association for regularisation of the structures. Today’s Comunidade decision implies that the body has decided for a blanket rejection of proposal for regularisation of the structures,” Noronha added. He said the Margao Comunidade would submit the resolution passed at today’s meeting to the Administrator of Comunidade for consideration and action.
A member demanded to know whether the government enjoys any powers to regularise the illegal structures.
“They first build the houses and then seek regularisation. Some have built the houses without permissions and given on rent”, the member added.
A senior member said the Supreme Court in one of its judgement was categorical in ruling that illegal structures cannot be regularised on community land. “If the government is interested in the encroachers, it should rehabilitate them under the 20-point program. If the Margao Communidade allows the regularisation, it will be set a bad precedent everywhere,” he added.
Sources said the meeting took stock about the rampant encroachment of the Comunidade land at Talsanzor by hutments, with members demanding eviction of the illegal settlers, while rejecting pleas for regularisation.
While the meeting took place inside the Margao Comunidade hall, police made elaborate bandobast arrangements outside as a precautionary measure. Salcete Mamlatdar Triveni Velip was deputed for the meeting to discharge her magisterial duties from the law and order point of view.
