Panaji: The Goa Lokayukta has issued notices to the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) in response to a complaint alleging encroachment on government land and the use of altered records for a jetty along the Zuari riverbank.
Details of the Complaint
Curchorem resident Sushant Vasta brought the matter before the Lokayukta, alleging that a private company carried out construction on land that is partly owned by the government without obtaining the necessary permissions under the Goa Municipalities Act. The complaint further claims that a duplicate revised sketch, bearing the same GCZMA reference number, seal, and date, was inserted into municipal records during proceedings before the council.
Lokayukta's Directives
During the hearing, Goa Lokayukta Justice (retd) Sandeep Shinde listened to the complainant and directed the chief officer of the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council to depute a responsible officer along with the relevant files related to the matter. The Lokayukta emphasized the need for proper documentation and transparency in the investigation.
Allegations of Bias
Vasta has alleged that his earlier complaint before the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council may have been dismissed due to personal interest on the part of the council members. He has called for an independent inquiry into the encroachment on government land to ensure a fair and unbiased investigation.
Next Hearing
The matter is scheduled to come up before the Lokayukta on June 12. The notices to the municipal council and GCZMA mark a significant step in addressing the allegations of land encroachment and record tampering in the region.
