SOIRU VELIP | NT
PANAJI
Following the seizure of around 100 files by the officer investing the alleged Serula communidade land scam, a preliminary inquiry has revealed various irregularities including forging of documents and processing of only 200 files when in reality over 10,000 plots have been allotted.
Sources informed ‘The Navhind Times’ that during the preliminary inquiry, which is being conducted by joint secretary of home department, Srinet Kothwale, it has been found that there are various irregularities in the overall affairs of Serula communidade.
The inquiry has revealed that no salary was paid to the staff working in the office of the administrator of the communidade, north Goa, for the last six months.
The inquiry has also found that there has been contempt of the High Court order dated May 5, 2016, directing the government to stop unauthorised occupation of nine premises, along the Chogm road, which come under the Serula communidade, and allegedly usurped by former tourism minister and others.
The inquiry has also revealed incidents of forging of documents, the sources said, adding that the administrator’s office processed only 200 files, whereas the actual allotment was of more than 10,000 plots.
The inquiry further reveals that there are cases where allotment is on one name while temporary possession in another name and actual occupant is somebody else.
According to the sources, the inquiry has revealed that illegal structures in Serula comunidade, which come under the jurisdiction of village panchayats of Penha de France, Succorro and Salvador de Mundo include commercial structures like hotels, mega projects, auto centres, mobile towers, housing projects etc, which are legally not permissible on communidade land.
The sources said that there are cases wherein applications were submitted for construction of road after construction of structure and that too by a different person, pointing out that there is no provision in law for grant of conversion sanad for a plot on which structure has been erected.
Furthermore, the inquiry also reveals that in certain cases wherein allotment has been legal, the structures have been constructed in another location. Also, size of structure/plinth has been extended, in violation of planning regulations.
The inquiry has also revealed incidents of allotment of plots to non-residents of Goa. There are cases wherein a person residing in a structure states that he has been residing for the last two years, whereas his signature on the proceedings indicates that he was allotted the plot 15 years ago.
There are also cases wherein open spaces of the communidade land have been utilised for constructing illegal structures. Besides, there are indications that benami bank accounts were opened to divert funds. The sources informed that around 100 files have been seized by the inquiry officer. Besides, Crime Branch of the Goa police has also seized around 15 files from the administrator of communidade office in separate criminal matters pertaining to the communidade.