Team Herald
MARGAO: Acting on a complaint by Maggie Silveira, President of Bharat Mukti Morcha, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs sent a letter to the Directors of Ozone Leisure and Resorts Private Limited directing them to give a response to the allegations made by Silveira within the next 10 days.
The Goa Unit of Bharat Mukti Morcha had objected to the public notice issued by Ozone Leisure And Resorts Private Limited from Bangalore. The organisation objected to Ozone’s statement that had created a first ranking exclusive charge by way of mortgage in favour of Capital India Finance Limited.
“Ozone had mortgaged the entire Vanxim Island to Capital India Finance. When we got to know that, we went digging for information and that’s how we ended up writing to all the central departments. They had already mortgaged and then they issued a notice on the paper for public objections,” said Maggie.
Maggie informed that once they sent the letter, within 4 to 5 days a caravan of cars started visiting the island and inspecting the site.
Sebastian Rodrigues informed that they had sent their complaint to the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the Reserve Bank of India as well as the Bombay Stock Exchange. “Capital India Finance is a listed company. We have asked the Bombay Stock Exchange to investigate and delist the company. We expect them to take action based on our complaint”, said Rodrigues. He said that they send letters to several offices connected with the RBI and BSE.
Sebastian pointed out that the company first mortgaged the island and then they put a public notice. “What Ozone has done is unethical. This is the point of contention we raised in our complaint. We wrote in our letter to Arun Jaitley that Matanhy Saldanha, whose funeral you attended, was opposed to the project because the area is eco-sensitive”. He stated that there was no mention of crucial details as to when this mortgage was effected, for what amount, what are the deposits accepted and what are the terms and conditions agreed upon in the public notice. He had also objected to the 14 days notice given to the public for submitting their objections.
Currently, there is no construction work going on on the island. Sebastian informed that banks have refused to finance Ozone which is why they have gone to Capital India Finance for a mortgage loan. “They are using shareholders money for this project which has been opposed by Goans”, he said.
