MARGAO
After the uproar, the South Goa deputy Collector has issued a show cause notice-cum-stop work order to Konkan Railway Corporation to immediately halt the illegal hill cutting in Cuncolim close to the Cuncolim Industrial estate.
While issuing a notice to show cause why action deemed fit should not be taken against the Corporation, Deputy Collector, Velton Tellis has directed KRC officials to remain present in the office of The Town Planner (TCP) Salcete either personally or through any authorized pleader with all necessary permissions/ approvals/licenses within 48 hours from the date of receipt of the notice, failing which, the deputy collector has warned that a FIR will be filed against the Corporation.
The show cause notice-cum-stop work order has been issued based on a complaint received by the Flying Squad against the KRC for hill cutting in Survey No. 350/1 of Cuncolim without permissions/approvals/ licenses in the property.
“Site inspection has been carried out by the Flying Squad and has revealed that you have carried out hill cutting in Survey No. 350/1 of Cuncolim Village in Salcete Taluka, that no board was displayed at the site displaying the permission from Town and Country Planning Department and no document/permission were made available at the site and, as such, prima facie your actions are a violation of Section 17 (A) of TCP Act, 1974 which is cognizable offence”, the deputy Collector stated, while issuing directions to stop the illegal hill cutting forthwith and to show cause as to why action deemed fit should not be taken against the Corporation.
In the notice, the deputy collector has issued further directions to the Dy. Collector & SDO I Salcete to monitor the site of violation and ensure that no further illegal land filling/hill cutting takes place and to initiate action necessary for illegal conversion of land under Section 33 of Land Revenue Code and submit compliance in both regards.
The Town Planner, TCP, Margao has been directed for immediate action in the matter and report compliance of the action taken to this office without fail.
The police station in-charge of Cuncolim Police station has been told to ensure that no further land filling/hill cutting takes place, and in the event further land filling/hill cutting takes place, then to bring it to the notice of the concerned Dy Collector & SDO I Salcete. The in-charge of Cuncolim police station has been directed to serve the notice to the respondent, while the office of Flying Squad, South Collectorate, Margao to ensure that the notices are served on concerned offices.
People of Cuncolim had lodged a strong protest against the hill cutting activity, as they demanded to know whether any of the authorities had issued permissions for the hill cutting activity. In fact, the residents had wondered why the authorities were engaged in the hill cutting activity in Cuncolim which has witnessed both air and water pollution from the Cuncolim Industrial estate in the recent past.
