CCP TO ACT AGAINST 2 ILLEGAL FLOORS OF PADMAVATI TOWER

In what could be viewed as proof of the stranglehold builders have upon government and semi-government authorities, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) admitted that the fifth and sixth floors of Padmavati Towers on the 18th June Road are illegal. Admitting that both floors are illegal CCP, in reply to an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, said that the final notice pertaining to the illegal construction was pasted at the premises as far back as December 11, 2007. The Panaji civic body acknowledged that the notice had mandated that the owner of the premises restore the structure to its original form. As per the notice, the restoration was required to be done by January 7, 2008. CCP further stated that no steps were initiated to tackle the violation and also admitted that the owner had acknowledged the wrongful act, which had been noted in the concerned file signed by the CCP’s assistant engineer on November 20, 2007. The CCP, however, says that action against the illegal structures will be taken shortly. A few days ago CCP had ordered the demolition of an illegal floor atop a heritage building opposite the Captain of Ports in Panaji. The CCP said that the second floor was illegal as it was in a conservation commercial zone over a building which is 100 years old. The offending party has been directed to demolish the structure, failing which demolition will be carried out by the CCP and expenses recovered from the party as arrears of property tax.