Since 1994, the Bharatiya Janta Party ruling the state currently, has also ruled in Panjim constituency. Defence Minister and former Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar was in power till 2014 while his ally, Siddharth Kunkolienkar is now the MLA of Goa’s capital city. The Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) had Atanasio (Babush) Monseratte, the then Taleigao MLA and current St Cruz MLA as its top man. In just one of the wards of the CCP, Babush has fixed his vote bank comprising of over 100 house of migrants who have settled for more than a decade.
Ward number 16, Altinho houses most government servants from across the state in government quarters. They live in unison with the local population on the hillock and it has now branched out into over 100 illegal shanties. This has happened over a period of two years. These shanties weren’t raised over night. It has happened over a significant period of time. In 1990, there were just about 10 illegal hutments but that number has shot up 10 times since then. Additionally, some are still under construction.
These illegal structures have been constructed on government property and nobody has dared to take action yet. With a new legislation to regularize illegal structures, all these migrant settlements will be legalized and a fixed vote bank will be set up at Altinho. It is allegedly learned that these structures are sheltered by the influence of Babush who has fixed a permanent vote bank even in Taleigao, based on the same modus.
These structures have come up right from the foot of the hillock at Bhatlem and have reached Altinho on top. These settlements are all well connected with water supply and electricity. However, there is no proper road access. Residents either park their vehicles on the road or at Altinho, near the government quarters. Parking on the road leads to an issue of jams.
In 2002, there was a major landslide at Altinho and people now fear that the same might happen again considering the fact that the uncontrolled structures are increasing in number as the years go by. This could lead to a dangerous situation.
A lot of people have also complained about garbage from these hutments which is being thrown in the open by the side of the hill. Additionally, most of these houses do not have toilet or sanitation facilities. This is a very serious issue. If people defecate in the open and throw their garbage in areas surrounding the settlement, it could pose as a health hazard for other residents of Altinho and residents of the illegal shanties as well.
