RUSSIAN ILLEGALITY IN MORJIM DEMOLISHED

Illegal constructions belonging to Russian company True Axis private limited within CRZ limits at Tembwada, Morjim, were finally razed by the authorities after over a year after the demolition order was first issued by the Goa coastal zone management authority (GCZMA). The demolition squad mobilized by the north Goa deputy collector also brought down three other illegal structures belonging to locals against which demolition orders were passed by the Morjim panchayat. The demolition was supervised by Pernem mamlatdar Bhushan Savaikar, who was accompanied by a 40-strong police force. T he North Goa district collectorate had issued fresh demolition orders against the illegal compound wall and pucca structure belonging to True Axis on December 21, 2009. The earlier order of the GCZMA dated December 18, 2008 had been returned by the collectorate. Reportedly, “political interference” resulted in the collectorate indulging in hair-splitting and effectively delaying the demolition by a year. The GCZMA order was addressed to True Axis director Francis Xavier de Souza. The additional collector had written back saying that de Souza was no longer a director and that Rashid Valiulin and Ana Litvinova were now directors of True Axis. GCZMA countered by saying that if one director leaves, it does not mean that action against the company should stop. The matter was also debated in the legislative assembly on December 18, 2009 with opposition leader Manohar Parrikar alleging inaction against True Axis and environment minister Aleixo Sequeira apologizing and assuring action against the illegality. The demolition squad comprising a JCB and PWD labourers, razed the illegalities. Sources said the Russian structures comprised a room of about 20 square metres and a 250 metre-long, two-metre high compound wall of laterite stones. Besides being in the CRZ area, sources said that a two-metre high compound walls is illegal. The room was used as a store-room.