TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
PONDA: Claiming that the State government’s motto of ‘Zero Tolerance to Corruption’ is an eye-wash, residents of Bandora have accused the government of failing to act against illegalities on land originally belonging to the Bandora Comunidade at Farmagudi-Ponda.
Addressing a joint press conference in Ponda, the Bandora Janajagruti Manch and Gaunem Dhajan Samaj, Bandra, have accused Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of turning a Nelson’s eye to the illegalities, where a large portion of grazing land is on the verge of turning into a concrete jungle.
“We have been fighting to protect the land that originally belonged to the Bandora Comunidade since the last three-and-half years. The land was illegally sold to a private party and plots have already been developed in the land that is more than 80,000 sq mtrs,” stated Bandora Janajagruti Manch Convenor Govind Gaude.
“We have made several complaints to authorities, but till date no action has been taken as plots in the land have already been developed and are for sale. Since the last one year, we are trying to take an appointment with the chief minister to brief him about the issue, but to no use,” added Gaude.
“We submitted a complaint to Parrikar, but we wanted to meet him in person to show all the documents which proves how Bandora Comunidade land was illegally transferred to a private party,” he said.
Dinesh Gaunekar of Gaunekar Dhajan Samaj alleged, “This is happening with the blessing from the influential politician from Marcaim constituency.”
Gaude said, “Development in the land was carried out even after the local panchayat revoked NOC granted to carry out work.”
“The case is pending before the High Court, filed by Bandora Comunidade. We will approach the Supreme Court to seek justice,” he said.
