Panel directs North Goa collector to ensure justice is done
TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The Goa Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission has asked the North Goa collector to take action ~ by even using the Central Bureau of Investigation ~ to ensure justice is done to tenants in cases relating to Aldeia de Goa’s plots in Bambolim, alleging purported land grabbing, atrocities on tribals, corrupt practices and a huge delay in court proceedings.
The letter acting on a complaint, cites survey numbers 11/1, 12/1, 100/1 where justice needs to be done. It wants the collector to initiate prompt action in the matter by giving “appropriate direction to the authorities concerned in relation to deciding cases of tenancy issue and if required the matter may be entrusted to the CBI, with due approval of the government.”
Aldeia de Goa, a project that extends over 140 acres of lush green hills sloping down to a pristine beach, the haunt of the well-heeled from inside and outside the state, has been mired in controversy and is still embroiled in a court case on hill cutting and missing documents. The project was designed by renowned architect Hafeez Contractor back in 2009. Presently villas were being sold for rates above Rs 1.2 crore.
The commission’s administrative officer C D Gawade in his letter says that he has been directed to enclose the representation received by this commission from S Andrade Pereira residing at Ponda who claims to be the heir and daughter of David Andrade from Bambolim, purportedly an agriculture lease holder in properties under survey numbers 11/1, 12/1, 99/1,01/1, 100/1 of Bambolim village. The copy of the lease deed is also enclosed with this letter.
The complainant has also claimed that the matter on this issue is pending with the mamlatdar of Tiswadi and as the process of finalizing the tenancy matter is delayed, it has given an opportunity for grabbing the said land by some rich builders. “The applicant is therefore of the opinion that this case may be entrusted to the CBI,” and an inquiry instituted so that she gets “proper justice.”
The project is not new to controversy with the case of hill cutting and replacement of plans is still being on. According to detractors, plans were misplaced and mixed and there was a mix and match of plans from 1993 and 1995.
There have been allegations by the now ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) when it was in the opposition hat underworld money was invested in the controversial gated luxury project on the outskirts of Panjim where facilities include a 300 square metre club house, swimming pool, jogging track, top of the line gym, amphitheatre, tennis courts, a 5-star hotel, etc.
All parties settled: Puri
Brigadier Puri of Aldeia de Goa, Bambolim spoke to Herald refuting allegations and also that there were no tenants on their land. “Only 11/1,12/1 and 100/1 are ours. About the others I don’t know,” he said adding, “We have settled each one of the people we have bought land from. There were not more than six people in all. Also we have settled all mundkars; there were no tenants. Some have been settled twice and even thrice and everything including compensation has been paid.”
“All mundkars were given as per rights. Money has been also given. All agreements are in place and all records are available whose plots they are. In fact 11/1- which is opposite the hotel (Hyatt) has been subdivided – for the mundkars,” he said.
