Goemkarponn desk
Old Goa/Panjim – Allowing illegal construction of BJP leader Shaina N. C. at World Heritage Site at Old Goa will set a bad precedent and will trigger destruction of Heritage Places in Goa warned GPCC President Girish Chodankar while addressing media during the protest organised by Goa Congress Party at the Heritage site at Old Goa where a Bunglow of BJP national leader is being constructed within the projected area.
Chairman of Legal Cell of Goa Congress Adv. Carlos Alvares, Spokesman Arch. Tulio D’Souza, Mahila Congress National Secretary Miss Seema Fernandes, Goa Mahila Congress President Ms. Beena Naik, YC President Adv. Varad Mardolkar, local Panch & Cumbarjua Block Congress President Vishal Volvoikar, PCC General Secretary Janardhan Bhandari, Khemlo Sawant, St. Cruz leader Rudolf Fernandes, Virendra Shirodkar, Mohan Dhond along with other Congress Functionaries were present with ‘Save Old Goa’ posters and banners.
Chodankar further said, BJP government has manipulated and issued illegal permissions through TCP, Health Department etc adding that the construction license issued is also in violation of the law.
He demanded that all permission be revoked immediately and all those responsible for issuing illegal licences may be suspended, and the construction at the heritage site be demolished at the earliest.
He said that Congress Party will explore all legal options if the government does not fullfill this demand.
Former Attorney General Adv. Carlos Fereira Alvares said that the “Nall” technique being used to legalise the structure or loja is totally illegal.
“Apart from CRZ, the land is a protected site and we will protect all holy sites not only here in Old Goa but also all over Goa,” he said.
Adv. Alvares also highlighted how the BJP has been permitting regularisation of illegal constructions even by payment of fine which has been stayed by the Principal Bench of the Bombay High Court.
Congress Spokesperson Arch. Tulio D’Souza while speaking on the occasion said that an illegal structure in total violation of the law is being put up at Survey no 4/1 in a protected area through misrepresentation and fraud.
D’Souza further said, that the plot in question is in the core area of a heritage site protected under AMASR Act 1958 and rules 1959, where only token repairs-of an existing structure is permitted, in this case a small hut. This is a also part of the NDZ falling within 100 m of the Mandovi river as per the 2011 notification of the CRZ.
D’souza further said that the conservation committee in total disregard of the sensitive nature of the site permitted a reconstruction inspite of being repeatedly told by the ASI vide their report dated 28/10/2015 and letter dated 3/2/2020.
Vishal Volvoikar , the local panchayat member put forward the illegality that had crossed all bounds. He said he had already written a letter to the Panchayat to stop illegal construction.
Mrs Bina S. Naik, Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress President said that she was surprised the way the BJP has gone to flouting the existing laws to favour its own flock.
Mahila Congress National Secretary incharge of Goa Ms Seema Fernandes said BJP has bent all national and local laws to promote illegal Bunglows of BJP national spokesperson Ms. Shaina N. C.
YC President Varad Mardolkar strongly demanded prompt action against the illegal construction.
St. Cruz Congress leader Rudolf Fernandes said in the past even High Court had cancelled construction of 2 temporary toilets at same venue built by Government during exposition considering sanctity of the place.
Others present for the protests included Kilban Fernandes , President St.Cruz Youth Congress Committee, Mrs.Maria Christina Varella , President, Cumbharjua Block Mahila Congress,
Calangute ZP candidate Lawrence Silveira, Block president Rajan Korgaonkar, Uday Salkar several others were present to register their protest.