Goa: Sancoale Panchayat to Notify Bhutani Infra’s Project

01 Sep 2024

The Sancoale panchayat unanimously resolved to issue a show cause notice to Parmesh Construction Company, the project proponent for Bhutani Infra, which had obtained permission to build multi-dwelling units at Savarfond, Sancoale.

The three-hour meeting concluded with the decision to issue a show cause notice that must be responded to within seven days, asking Parmesh Construction to explain why its license should not be revoked due to various violations.

A panchayat member indicated that the project proponent would be required to submit the permissions it has received from various government departments.

Tension arose during the panchayat body meeting when a lawyer attempted to record the proceedings. Four panchayat members—Tulshidas Naik, who is also the president of the BJP South Goa district, along with Maria Azavedo, Nidhi Naik, and Maurileo Carvalho—objected and requested the panchayat secretary to prohibit the lawyer from attending.

After local residents urged the remaining seven panchayat members to support the movement against the mega project, the members acquiesced.

Tulshidas Naik informed *Times of India* that the project proponent for Bhutani Infra lacked valid documents, including environmental clearances, a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the forest department for tree cutting, and other necessary permissions for water connection, electricity, and health authorities. He further noted that the project proponent did not possess a contour plan for hill cutting as required under Section 17A of the TCP Act issued by the chief town planner.

He also mentioned that the project proponent lacked the NOC from the flying command officer of the Indian Navy, as the proposed project is within the radius of the flying zone of Goa International Airport. Naik alleged that the panchayat had granted the construction license for the mega project in just one day after receiving a letter from the project proponent on March 11, 2024, without adhering to the terms and conditions or reviewing the documents necessary for obtaining the construction license.