The commercial project in Saligao was constructed on agricultural tenanted land without the required permissions.
Photo Credits: Agnelo Pereira
MAPUSA
A three-year delay in the enforcement of a demolition order against an allegedly illegal commercial project in Saligao has raised concerns over bureaucratic inefficiency and potential system failures.
The Deputy Director of Panchayats had ordered the demolition of the ground-plus-two structure in September 2021, but the building still stands tall, with legal proceedings dragging on unresolved.
The commercial project in question, known as the Mae De Deus commercial complex, was constructed on tenanted land in Survey No 202/3.
Soon after its construction, allegations surfaced against members of the former managing committee of the Saligao Comunidade, who are accused of conspiring to encroach on comunidade land and defrauding the community by constructing the project without proper authorisation.
The project was undertaken by a construction firm linked to a late former president of the comunidade.
Despite the Deputy Director of Panchayats’ proclamation that no valid permissions had been obtained for the project, a stay on the demolition order was secured by the former managing committee, stalling further action.
The matter has since been stuck in the court of the Additional Director of Panchayats.
Desmond Da Costa, the current president of the Saligao Comunidade, distanced his committee from the controversy, stating that the project was a private initiative of the promoters and investors, including a former president and attorney of the comunidade.
Da Costa accused the promoters of misusing the name of the Saligao Comunidade to collect funds and navigate through official channels.
The current managing committee has signalled its intent to file an FIR against those involved in the alleged financial fraud, accusing them of operating an unlawful bank account, issuing fraudulent receipts, and encroaching on comunidade land.
According to Da Costa, the project cannot be regularised under the current Town and Country Planning (TCP) laws or the Code of Comunidade, branding the structure as “illegal to the core”.
“The wheels may not turn as fast as we want. But they surely do. Each of the guys who were involved in dubious dealings to erect the illegal monstrosity will have a case against them. They will have to pay the price for the wrong doing,” Da Costa said.
Complaints have also been lodged with various departments, including the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and the Income Tax Department.
The controversy surrounding the project first came to light in 2017, when local resident Eleuterio (Dominic) Fernandes reported the alleged illegal construction to the Administrator of Communidades, North Goa, and other authorities.
Frustrated by the lack of action, Fernandes approached the High Court of Bombay at Goa, which subsequently directed the Director of Panchayats to resolve the matter within two months.
Despite the Deputy Director’s demolition order, the structure remains standing and the case continues to languish in legal limbo.
The community now awaits further action from the authorities, as the saga surrounding the Mae De Deus commercial complex continues to unfold.
