PORVORIM: Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo on Tuesday questioned why locals do not have access to prompt mutation services, as was possible in the case of Pooja Sharma.
Pooja Sharma is the prime accused in the Assagao house demolition case which is being investigated by the Crime Branch of the Goa Police. The house was partially razed allegedly without giving prior notice to the occupants and after illegally abducting two of them.
Speaking during the demands for Settlement and Land Records, Revenue, Labour, Employment and Science and Technology Departments, she said,” The mutation cases must be fast tracked. If Pooja Sharma’s mutation can be done in a day, that too on Sunday, why not for our local people? When our local people go then they talk about publication then notice and then they tell them that they are studying the papers. This is not acceptable. When Pooja Sharma’s case can be done in a day then I think our people have to be prioritised first.”
The house demolition, which took place on June 22, snowballed into a controversy after reports indicated that a senior police official of IPS level was involved in it. Subsequently, State Director General of Police Jaspal Singh, IPS, was transferred and Alok Kumar, IPS, posted in his place.
In his response, Revenue Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate countered that mutation in the Pooja Sharma was not done in a day as it has been claimed.
“The application for mutation in the Pooja Sharma case was received on September 26, 2023. Since the house owner submitted an affidavit and NOC in the said mutation, service of notice was waived off and the mutation was certified on October 9, 2023. So it was not done in a day as it is being claimed,” he said.
He said if there is a dispute with regards to mutation, one can apply before the Deputy Collector.
