DEMOLITIONS IN CALANGUTE STAYED

The demolition drive against CRZ violations along the Calangute coastline that began ended abruptly with most affected residents obtaining stay orders from the directorate of panchayats. The Calangute panchayat had identified 40 structures as illegal. Of these eight were demolished and two were removed by their owners themselves accounting for 10 structures. The demolition squad demolished just one structure at Baga when the Calangute panchayat secretary S Prabhu made a written submission to the Bardez block development officer, Shivprasad Naik, that the remainder of the affected owners had obtained relief from the authorities. Of the remaining 29 affected parties, some obtained stay orders from the additional director of panchayats. The latter also referred many cases back to the Calangute village panchayat with directions to look at the cases afresh, and some matters are pending before the directorate of panchayats. In view of the submission made by the VP secretary, Naik said that there will be no more demolitions in Calangute. "When the panchayat wants, we will provide the demolition squad. I will submit my report to the deputy collector Bardez and together, we will submit a report to the deputy collector, demolition squad, North Goa," Naik said.