By A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: The Bombay High Court at Panjim, yesterday, directed the Candolim panchayat to furnish the details of action initiated against illegal structures sprouted in the fields at Aradi-Candolim by August 10.
The Court directives came after it witnessed heated arguments between the Adv Pranoy Kamat, counsel for the petitioner and the Advocate General Subodh Kantak.
The petitioner John Baptista Sequeira pointed out in 2000 the High Court had passed a judgement banning conversion of tenanted fields and despite of this, illegal constructions were made in fields at Aradi-Candolim. He said that these structures were granted all permissions including occupancy certificate by the panchayat even after he had lodged complaints at all competent authorities.
AG Kantak told the Court that the Mapusa deputy collector was investigting the case and that at present 16 such cases were pending with him. He said that the petitioner did not approach these offices with his complaint. Arguing on behalf of the Candolim panchayat, Adv Nitin Sardessai said that the petitioner did not bother to inquire what action the panchayat had initiated against the illegal structures and when he had every oppotunity to approach the Deputy Director of Panchayats, Panjim.
