DEMOLITION OF 23 CRZ VIOLATED STRUCTURES DEFFERED

The court ordered demolition of 23 structures allegedly violating the Coastal Regulation Zone, at Velsao fixed were deferred, informed officials. A large crowd also gathered in front of the Velsao-Pale panchayat building, apparently agitated over the presence of the demolition squad.
The collector, South, Mr G P Naik told media, “The demolitions were deferred as the sarpanch gave us a written undertaking as well as filed an affidavit promising to file a compliance report.” He also expressed confidence that all other structures would be demolished by due date “unless somebody challenges the order before a competent authority.” The High Court had issued an order asking for a certain number of structures to be demolished within 8 weeks of its order, dated November 24. The order also wanted schedules for the demolitions of structures in South Goa to be finalised by the deputy collector, South and sarpanchas and secretaries of coastal villages.The Velsao-Pale, sarpanch, Ms D’Souza, said that the panchayat decided to ask for postponement of the demolition of all 23 structures, in view of the annual Three Kings feast, that will be celebrated on January 6.The undertaking given by sarpanch, Ms D’Souza and secretary stated that they will submit a compliance report on January 12.“As Catholic and non-Catholic brethren from all over the state and villagers of Pale participate in the feast, the demolition drive, right before the feast, would anger the villagers,” Ms D’Souza said, informing that the villagers were agitated over the scheduled demolition of the 23 structures. Ms D’Souza also said villagers had gathered in large number in front of Velsao-Pale panchayat building to protest the demolition on Tuesday, and it would have been a very difficult task to face the crowdThe demolition squad led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Margao, Mr Sanjeev Dessai and including deputy collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mormugao, Mr Levinson Martins, Mormugao mamlatdar, Mr Pundalik Khorjuvenkar, block development officer, Mormugao, Mr P T Mulgaonkar PWD, police, heavy machinery, electricity department, and other government officials were present at the Velsao-Pale panchayat.