Goa Governor Mridula Sinha has asked Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma to take appropriate action on the complaint filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues against the illegal bungalow built by Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar at Old Goa.

 

The Governor’s direction came after receiving a complaint from Adv. Aires Rodrigues that Pandurang Madkaikar’s company Nikitasha Realtors Pvt Ltd. in total violation of law had built a very huge palacial bungalow in survey No 144/1 and 144/2 at Old Goa within the prohibited 300 mts from the Central Protected Monument Basilica of Bom Jesus Church with the compound wall of the bungalow being less than 50 mts from the protected Monument.

 

Adv. Rodrigues in his letter on 9th April 2018 addressed to the Archaeological Survey of India, Goa Circle, a copy of which was sent to Goa Governor and the Prime Minister had demanded immediate action against this blatant illegality.

 

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)  however in its reply on 10th April 2018 informed Adv. Rodrigues that the ASI does not have the magisterial powers either for removal of encroachment or for demolition of illegal structures and asked him  to approach the local authorities for further action in the matter.  

 

Adv. Rodrigues was also informed that by a letter dated 3rd November 2015 the ASI had asked the Old Goa Police to register an F.I.R against Pandurang Madkaikar over the unauthorized compound wall and that the copy of that letter was also endorsed to the local authorities including the North Goa Collector and the local Panchayat but that no action was taken.

 

Stating that it was incumbent on the authorities to uphold the law at all times and that they cannot turn a Nelson’s eye only to the illegalities committed by the rich and influential, Adv. Rodrigues submitted that such a glaring violation cannot be allowed just because it has been committed by the very influential Goa’s Power Minister.