GCZMA fails to act on 2-year-old complaint, but rushes to demolish heritage restaurant

PANAJI: As per the latest information, the office of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had acknowledged receipt of a written complaint filed against an illegal structure situated in Survey Nos. 176/16-B and 176/25-A of Calangute village on 16th November 2020.

In addition to this complaint, several parties from the village of Calangute had agitated and verbally intimated the GCZMA officials and Panchayat of this illegal construction. The Panchayat even issued a demolition notice against the illegal construction, which was widely reported in the press.

There were several media reports last year and in January this year, concerning the structure in the abovementioned plot, but the GCZMA failed to take any action against it, though two years have passed since the detailed written complaint was submitted.

Earlier, the GCZMA claimed that they had not received any complaint against the Rajiv Arora-owned structure, but this reporter has accessed at least two letters sent to the GCZMA, one of which is published below.

As opposed to this, the GCZMA has rushed to demolish portions of the heritage and iconic 1932-founded Souza Lobo restaurant, which the GCZMA states is illegal. In attempting action against the Souza Lobo restaurant, the GCZMA cites a complaint made by the present occupants of Survey Nos. 176/16-B and 176/25-A of Calangute village – a Delhi-based businessman Rajiv Arora and Rama Arora.

Surprisingly, the GCZMA chose to act on this complaint of Rajiv Arora and has rushed with men and machinery on two occasions to demolish a structure that is 90 years old, but could not act on complaints against Arora. One begins to wonder if Arora is above the law in Goa or if the GCZMA is run by Arora and his cronies?

On Wednesday morning, GCZMA authorities landed up on the property, without the requisite documents, to carry out a demolition. This is the second attempt at demolition in the last few months, without the requisite and complete paperwork. We have emailed the GCZMA for comment on this matter and are awaiting their response. This post will be updated if and when they respond to us.

Jude Souza Lobo, the owner of the Souza Lobo restaurant on Calangute beach, portions of which the GCZMA attempted unsuccessfullly to demolish, while speaking to media persons in Goa, alleged that someone in the department, or Ministry or Goa government has taken a huge sum of money to harass them. “We are being forced to sell the property. They want us to vacate the premises. Someone in the government has his eyes on this property and is doing his best to make us leave and sell the place. We provide employment to more than 50 people and most if not all of our staff are Goans.” (Read More Here)