VASCO: The residents of Baina hutments on Friday submitted a memorandum to the Power Minister and Mormugao MLA, Milind Naik requesting him to restore power supply which has been disconnected by the electricity department following issuance of an eviction cum demolition notice to 205 odd hutments.
A group of 30 members under the banner of ‘Baina Resident Welfare Association’ met Naik at his office at Headland Sada on Friday. The members pleaded that the state electricity department disconnected the electricity on April 14 following an eviction cum demolition order, however they managed to obtain a stay order from the Bombay High court. “Since the last 25 days, we are living without electricity and water. We live with children and aged people and in the summer it is very hot and is difficult to live without power. Thus we request you to please restore the supply,” they said.
The residents have fought the odds and continued to occupy the hutments for the past 25 odd days. They managed to obtain water from neighbouring areas and hope that their plea will be heard and rehabilitation will be provided before their homes are demolished.
Meanwhile, Naik, who patiently heard the plea of the residents denied fulfilling their requests claiming that the case is presently in court and any action he takes will be in contempt of the court.
“I cannot give any assurances as the matter is in court and I cannot go against the law. Also, how can you expect the State government to provide rehabilitation to those who illegally build structures on the beach. If this trend continues, in the future, everyone will start using these tactics,” he said.
