TEAM HERALD
VASCO: South Goa Collector Venancio Furtado will order a probe into the electricity and water connections, house tax and ration cards that were given on ‘health grounds’ to occupants of those illegal hutments which were removed at Baina beach.
“I was surprised to read in the Herald that most of the water and electricity connections to these illegal houses were released on health grounds, without ascertaining the property ownership documents,” Furtado told Herald.
“The rules to release electricity and water connections on health grounds was flouted and misused by migrants and those officials who released the connections and provided other facilities.”
Clarifying the conditions under which water and electricity connections could be availed under health grounds, Furtado said: “Whenever an electricity or water connection is sought by a person on health grounds, he/she should provide the survey number of the plot, house tax and ownership documents.”
“Municipal councils and panchayats cannot simply issue NOCs to release water and electricity connections merely based on Aadhar card/ration card/voter card and an NOC from the health officer/deputy collector/chief officer of the municipality or the card copy, unless the applicant produces the copy of the survey number, ownership documents of the house and house tax. In case of a tenant, the application must include an NOC from the owner,” informed Furtado.
“It is surprising that the authorities are issuing NOCs based on a Xerox copy of ration card and Aadhar card without other documents. I will conduct an enquiry in this matter,” assured Furtado.
He added that municipal councils, panchayats, health officers and deputy collectors should verify the documents before issuing NOC to the applicants on health grounds.
“Authorities concerned should also ask for all the documents before releasing the necessary connections,” he added.
