LAND FILLING AND CONSTRUCTION IN PADDY FIELDS CONTINUE.

Villagers of Orlim who have had on their radar the Builder Meenaxi Financial Consultants running their business under the name and style of ‘Ratan Exotica’ have questioned the rule of law prevalent in the State. The Villagers have complained that the Town and Country Planning Department has been dragging its feet and giving opportunities to the builder to regularize his land-filling by seeking leave under section 17-A of the TCP Act. The villagers pointed out that when they contacted the Town Planner Rajesh Naik about the ongoing land-filling despite the violation and lack of permissions, they were told that due action would be taken on 10th May although the notice period to the builder from TCP expired on 6th May and the Courts are also already seized with the matter. The villagers have further pointed out that when the the builder on Sunday took to aggravated concrete filling activity in the paddy field which would irretrievably affect the field and the adjoining lowlying area which has been a catchment pond, they contacted the Town Planner Rajesh Naik who in turn telephoned the police. The villagers have pointed out that in following up matters at the Colva police stationand Orlim outpost and at the site, it was apparent that there was a nexus between the police and the builder against whom they dithered to take action while leaking out information so that the workers could take flight and the site would appear deserted.


Orlimgaum Rakhonn Manch takes strong exception to these delay tactics on the part of the Town Planning Authorities and the police in order to assist the builder lobby. They have pointed out that this is a recurring scenario with no action taken so far by the police against the said builder on complaints of trespassing into fabrica property, pulling out saplings, etc. .


The villagers have expressed concern that the fields in the village will irretrievably suffer if their continuous complaints are being disregarded in this fashion and will cause a catastrophe in the monsoons. The villagers are wondering whether assurances of flying squads are merely lip-service when even during week-days, no prompt action is forthcoming,



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Kim Miranda

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