TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: Upset over the delay in releasing of the Jha Commission report and concerned about the fate of their investments in other projects by Bharat Developers, a group of investors have now demanded that a new developer be appointed so that the halted work can begin and be completed on the other properties which has been attached by government.
Unclear over the government’s decision to attach properties other than Ruby Residency project, investors of Bharat Heights (BH) and Palolem Plaza (PP) have appealed to the government to detach these two projects from the others and to allow the works to continue by appointing a new developer.
Amit Basu, who represents the investors of BH and PP, also expressed disappointment at the delay in making the Jha Commission report, public.
“As assured by the chief minister, the Jha Commission report already in the government’s hand was not presented in the monsoon assembly session, which unfortunately ended on Thursday,” said Basu.
“Why is the government reluctant to make the Jha Commission report known to the public? Why does it take so long to file the charge-sheet, while it is already six months since CBI is handling the case?” Basu asked. Basu highlighted the plight of investors, some of who had invested their life’s savings, while others have obtained heavy bank loans and have already begun paying installments.
“Also, if one project is in problem because of somebody’s negligence, why are investors of other properties (BH and PP) being held to ransom,” asked Basu. “Why should the investors be penalized if a failure by police in nabbing the absconding builders is any excuse to delay filing of a charge-sheet?”
According to sources, while a delay in filing a charge-sheet has been a worrying factor to investors, it is learnt that ‘negligence’ could be the maximum charge against those accused in the collapse of a portion of Ruby Residency, which claimed 31 lives. Reacting to some reports that a builder had been traced at Manchester (UK), Basu said: Whether the builder is in Manchester or Timbuctoo, is of no use to us investors, but what is important is getting our properties into our possession.”
The collapse of the Ruby residency building, in Canacona on January 4, had killed 31 persons.
