MARGAO: The Navelim Panchayat appears to be harassing one Anthony Britto, who has been forced to run from pillar to post to fight against an illegal construction with the local body allegedly developing cold feet despite orders from the Secretary for Panchayats of Government of Goa to act into the matter.

With Sarpanch Lucia Carvalho refusing to take calls or reply to messages, former Sarpanch Paul Pereira said the matter would be resolved at the next panchayat meeting.

The saga began on October 13, 2022 when Anthony Britto complained to the panchayat that Rosarinho Macario Fernandes and his wife Fatima had constructed two sheds in the setback area next to the building constructed by him at Calvaddo near the petrol pump set up by former minister Avertano Furtado.

Following a memorandum from BDO Nimisha Fal Dessai, the Navelim Panchayat conducted a site inspection on November 10, 2022 where the sarpanch, ward member concerned and secretary were present along with the complainant and the respondents.

As per the inspection report signed by the sarpanch, ward member and secretary, two sheds, 2.10 mts high were in the set back area with zinc sheets and had a sheet roof too.

Further, the report noted that while one shed was empty, in the other there were four plastic water tanks of 1,500 litres capacity each.

This inspection report that had an attached rough sketch

of the site was not signed by

the complainant and the

respondents.

Despite the fact that the site inspection clearly revealed the illegality, at the panchayat body meeting on November 30, 2022, the VP resolved “to keep the matter pending” only because the complainant did not sign the inspection report but the panchayat failed to mention the date of the inspection in the resolution adopted.

Frustrated with the inaction of the panchayat, Anthony appealed to higher authorities including the Directorate of Panchayats.

On May 4 2023 Additional Director of Panchayats Florina Colaco e Fernandes passed an order that pulled up the panchayat for its wrong decision.

The order clearly noted that the panchayat’s decision “to keep the complaint of the petitioner pending is illegal and contrary to the rules and regulation of Section 66 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act.”

Further the order very sternly noted that the panchayat was “deprecate” meaning deplored and added that the panchayat resolution was “unjust and unlawful” and therefore suspended.

Further to this order, on October 3, 2023 Secretary Panchayats, Government of Goa Menino D’Souza confirmed the Additional Panchayat Director’s order.

As despite these orders, the panchayat was not taking any action, Anthony on October 27, 2023 complained to the Additional Director of Panchayats.

As soon as Anthony complained, the panchayat conducted another site inspection on November 1, 2023 and its official report is still awaited.

However, acting on Anthony’s complaint, the Additional Director of Panchayats Sangeeta S Naik, on November 6, 2023 asked the BDO to take action on Anthony’s complaint.

The same day, Navelim Panchayat Secretary Rajendra Naik wrote to the Additional Director of Panchayats, that the panchayat at its meeting on October 16, 2023 decided to conduct another site inspection as the complainant did not sign the inspection report but did not mention which date inspection report was not signed.

He further informed that the second site inspection was carried out on November 1, 2023 and the panchayat would decide upon it at its next body meeting.

The Secretary Rajendra Naik said the panchayat is going by the rules. “Since the panchayat had decided upon this matter earlier, a fresh decision has to be taken following the second site inspection,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anthony expressed his determination to take this battle to the logical conclusion. “I shall go to the High Court if necessary if the panchayat fails to act on this illegality,” he said.

His advocate K Rao said they will pursue the matter as per law and ensure that his client’s grievance is mitigated.

“There is no need for a panchayat meeting to decide this matter as the law empowers the sarpanch and secretary to act on such matters,” he said.