By: Savio Rodrigues
5th of the series of investigation
Government of Goa had initially taken a firm stand against the DB Realty Goa Project on account of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) fierce agitation in 2006; however in the months ahead, post meetings that transpired between the Government authorities and the promoters; Goa government change its stance in favor of the promoters.
The Government of Goa through the Additional Collector, North Goa issued a ‘Stop-Work’ order to the promoters – Goa Real Estate and Construction Limited (GRECL) – of the Aldeia De Goa project. The Order No. 4/1/2006/CRZ/943 was issued on December 12th 2006. This was done following the complaints by Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) of hill cutting.
In May 2007, the Goa Town & Country Planning Department also filed an FIR in the Agacaim police station against the developers for illegal hill cutting.
However, what is shocking is the submission made in the High Court on behalf of the Government of Goa by the learned Advocate General “on instructions” in the Writ Petition No.11/08 filed by the Goa Real Estate Company in the Aldeia de Goa case. The learned AG has stated that the Respondent No.2 “R-2 (herein referring to the Government of Goa) shall withdraw the order dated 15/1/2007 on or before Friday, i.e. 25/1/2008. The Collector shall issue fresh orders after giving hearing to the petitioners.”
This had been done despite clear knowledge that the hill has been cut in violation of the PDA regulations governing construction on hill slopes and falsification of documents used in support by the builders and despite the assurance given to GBA by the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and the Chief Secretary of Goa that the “Stop Work” order of the Collector would not be withdrawn till the enquiry in the issue was completed.
In November 2, 2007, the town and country planning department wrote to the developers that the matter had been referred to the Government and that the government had agreed to withdraw not only the stop work order but also the FIR. Based on this letter, the additional collector withdrew the stop work order and the developer restarted work. The developers also issued front-page newspaper advertisements for plots, apartments and villas on the Bambolim plateau.
…to be continued
