AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
GONCOI, SANCOALE: The legal opinion sought by the Sancoale Panchayat from two advocates, on the reply sent by Parmesh Construction Company (undertaking the “Bhutani” project) has finally been received from one of the two advocates.
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Advocate Zellar D’Costa submitted his reply on Friday, November 7, while Amey Prabhudesai is expected to file his by Saturday, November 9.
The Sancoale Panchayat had issued a show-cause notice to Parmesh Construction Company on the construction license issued to them for their massive villa project with 685 pools. Both advocates were tight-lipped about their views on the subject.
“It is good news that you are sharing. The purpose of the hunger strike was to get a response from the Panchayat and the Chief Minister on this brazen illegality going on in our village,” responded Premanand Naik who ignited the passion of the populace through his indefinite hunger strike.
“The chain hunger strike will continue until the licenses are revoked,” he added.
“Nice to know that one opinion has come and the other is coming soon though the Panchayat Raj Act nowhere speaks about seeking legal opinion because the Panchayat body is supreme. I am sure the opinion will be in our favour,” said Peter D’Souza, petitioner of Writ Petition 1884 of 2024 that seeks to challenge the change of Private Forest land to C1 (commercial land) at the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court.
“The Panchayat Raj Act allows for revocation of license as all construction licenses are conditional. Few people are aware that once you get a TCP license, the Panchayat doesn’t need to grant a construction license. TCP gives technical permission which can be rejected by the Panchayat,” disclosed a senior advocate practising at the High Court on condition of anonymity.
“It is clear that land declared as Private Forest was changed to C1 (Commercial Property) and the FAR provided for this land is now two hundred. This illegality cannot be allowed,” stated D’souza.
“The people were under the impression that the Panchayat was using this legal opinion hogwash as an opportunity to buy time to wean the minds of the people. Now that the legal opinion has come, it is time to see what the Panchayat does next,” said Sancoale Panch Tulshidas Naik.
Sancoale Sarpanch Derrick Vales did not comment on the development.
