GAC demands demolition of illegal structure on Calangute beach

PANAJI: The Goa Against Corruption (GAC) has demanded the immediate demolition, by the Calangute Panchayat of an illegal structure on the Calangute beach, which has flouted all Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and GCZMA rules.

According to social activist Minakshi Shinde and convenor of the GAC, the Calangute Panchayat had issued a notice for demolition of the structure, dated 22nd March 2021 which was signed by the Calangute VP secretary Raghuvir D. Bagkar, revoking the construction licenses granted earlier in the year 2019 for House No. 5/154 situated in Survey No. 176/16-B on the beach front. The construction license was obtained by claiming that an old pre-existent structure needed repairs and renovation due to normal wear and tear.

Shinde said the owners and promoters of the said property being House No. 5/154 situated in Survey No. 176/16-B, flouted every rule in the book and did not keep the 3 meters mandatory offset around the property. Further, they had obtained permission from the Panchayat by making false claims and representation, seeking to renovate and repair an old structure, stating that it was only for personal use, but erected a new foundation into the ground.

The original owners sold the property to various different promoters and developers and the plot of land changed hands more than once, with a Delhi businessman now claiming ownership of the disputed structure.

In spite of several complaints filed against the illegal construction with the GCZMA and the NGPDA, no action was taken for more than 14 months, Shinde explained.

The illegal construction was done during April-May 2020 during the first wave of the Covid pandemic-induced lock down. However, upon complaints by local residents, the Calangute Panchayat revoked the construction license (granted earlier in 2019) and instructed that the illegal construction be demolished within 15 days.

However with the second Covid wave in April-May 2021, the matter was pushed under the carpet by vested interests and other political powers. The promoters of the illegal structure meanwhile approached the Director of Panchayats (DOP) in an appeal against the demolition order of the Calangute Panchayat, but the DOP did not pass any stay order, nor did it restrain the Panchayat from going ahead with the demolition, Shinde said.

According to a press note issued by the GAC, the current promoters again applied to the Panchayat with falsified documents and claims, thus managing to clandestinely and fraudulently obtain an NOC (via outward number dated 6th May, 2022) for running a restaurant on the illegal premises, which was ordered to be demolished. She also accused the Panchayat secretary and Sarpanch, as well as other members of being hand-in-glove with the promoters and allegedly accepting ‘huge bribes’ to process the NOC.

A ward member who did not want to be quoted alleged that the entire fraud was orchestrated by the former Sarpanch Francis Rodrigues of Madda vaddo and the present Panchayat secretary and Sarpanch are passing the buck. The NOC is signed by the Panchayat secretary, which is surprising because such NOCs are only signed by the Sarpanch.

According to Shinde, the sarpanch, when queried, claimed ignorance of the matter, stating that he had not signed the NOC document. This is passing the buck, everyone’s palms have been greased and huge money has exchanged hands, Shinde alleged.

If the Panchayat does not act within 15 days, we will move the Bombay High Court at Goa against the Calangute Panchayat, the GAC said in a media release.