Complaint filed against LoP Michael Lobo’s PA Ashley Vaz for illegal land-filling in Parra

MAPUSA: A written complaint was filed by activist and former Parra Panchayat ward member Benedict D’souza against one Ashley Vaz, resident of Carrasco vaddo at Parra; and personal assistant of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Michael Lobo, with the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department and the office of the TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane today.

According to the complaint, the acknowledged copy which has been accessed by this reporter, massive land filling was carried on by Ashley Vaz in Survey No. 138/5 of Parra, opposite Alvamar. Fields have been filed up and an illegal road constructed through the fields, according to photographs submitted along with the complaint.

An embankment and road have been created in the tenanted property by filling up the fields with earth and mud and a brick and cement fencing has been erected without any permissions of the respective authorities and departments, the complaint alleges.

The complainant has requested the TCP Minister to look into the matter urgently and stop the illegal land-filling in Parra, which is going on unhindered, with the Village Panchayat authorities not taking any action against the accused, in spite of several complaints by locals.

According to Benedict D’souza, this land-filling has been going on unhindered and several fields in Parra are affected by the illegal activity, mostly which is undertaken by Vaz and his associates.

Both Lobo and Vaz were unavailable for comment. A Parra panchayat official said they have received a copy of the complaint and are looking into it.

The complainant has alleged that Vaz being connected to the former Minister and now LoP has been threatening residents with dire consequences if they object to his activities or prevent him from land-filling and construction work in the fields.