Says denial of licence would make them liable to pay compensation to builder
TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: An overwhelming majority of councillors of MMC adopted a resolution in favour of renewal of the construction licence for a project on the Costa Ground, Aquem, maintaining that denial of licence would make them liable to pay compensation to the builder.
At a stormy Council meeting held on Tuesday evening, as many as 18 Councillors including Chairperson Arthur D’Silva voted in favour of the proposal to renew the construction licence, while only two ~ Avinash Shirodkar and Damu Shirodkar ~ firmly opposed the move.
Councillors Sangeeta Naik and Laxmikant Kamat, who in the past had opposed the construction project on the Costa Ground, today supported the resolution for the renewal of the construction licence.
The Council adopted the decision after Chief Officer Deepali Naik read out the opinion of the legal counsel stating that the builder had threatened to file a writ petition in the High Court and also make the Council responsible for civil liabilities for stalling the project.
She said the legal opinion stated that the civic body should follow the principles of natural justice by giving the builder an opportunity for hearing on the issue.
Councillor Sadanand Naik said he and his councillor wife Babita would not support any decision against the builder since he did not want the authorities to haul up the city fathers for any wrong decision. Heated exchanges ensued between councillor Damu Shirodkar and Sadanand Naik on the issue, with the latter saying that Costa has made a gift deed of land admeasuring 6,000 sq mts to the government.
Arguing in favour of retaining Costa Ground for the recreational needs of Aquemkars, Damu Shirodkar and Avinash Shirodkar appealed to the Council to respect the sentiments of 25,000 people from the Aquem area. Damu Shirodkar said that Aquemkars will never allow the construction of the project even if the Council gives approval for licence renewal.
Chairperson Arthur D’Silva agreed to a suggestion made by Damu Shirodkar to seek a division of vote on the issue to find out how many Councillors were in favour or opposed to the proposal.
Both Avinash and Damu Shirodkar walked out of the meeting hall when the proposal to renew the construction licence was carried by 18-2 votes. Incidentally, Councillor Sadanand Naik demanded action against Damu Shirodkar for allegedly instigating the people of Aquem seated in the hall to gherao the city fathers for supporting the proposal.
We will oppose MMC move: Panel
MARGAO: Agitated members of the Aquem Ground Bachao Association has vowed to take the battle to save Costa Ground in the people’s court, even as they booed and jeered the Margao city fathers while coming out of the municipal building after the meeting.
The Margao police also made their presence felt at the municipal building as a precautionary measure as the Aquem Ground Bachao Association shouted slogans inside and outside the meeting hall condemning the Council decision.
Councilor Sangeeta Audi and Laxmikant Kamat, who both represent the Aquem area, bore the brunt of the Association members, as they booed them while leaving the municipal hall. Association members were also engaged in a discussion with Chairperson Arthur D’Silva and Dhananjay Mayenkar outside the building on the issue. They accused certain councillors for match fixing, and warned that Aquemkars will never allow a stone to be erected on the grounds.
Association leaders Cruz Martins and Andrew Sequeira said an emergency meeting will be convened in a day or two to chalk out the future course of action.
“The ground that the builder will initiate legal action including civil action against them is certainly not a convincing ground to grant renewal of licence for the project. Aquemkars will oppose the decision tooth and nail,” they warned.
