Bandekar seeks inquiry into working of Canacona comunidade NT News Service
Margao Jan 24: The former sports minister, Mr Sanjay Bandekar today called on the Governor, Mr S C Jamir and demanded an immediate inquiry into the affairs of the Canacona comunidade, which he alleged was out to harass people by extorting money. Addressing a press conference after meeting the Governor, Mr Bandekar told reporters that certain persons in the Canacona comunidade were trying to make money by scarring people living on comunidade land on the pretext that their houses would be demolished as they were illegal. The former minister informed that certain people in the Canacona comunidade were troubling innocent people and demanded that the land be immediately transferred to those residing there. Mr Bandekar also presented Mr Jamir with a copy of the 2001 gazette notification transferring the land. "However the process was never undertaken and hence the land still continues to lie with the comunidade," he alleged, adding that he had requested Mr Jamir to look into the matter. He revealed that those residing on the said piece of land were residing there for a long time and that the essential requirements of water and power supply had been provided to them. "A few people have captured large tracts of land," he said. When asked why he approached the Governor and not the Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, the former minister disclosed that the Governor was the supreme authority in matters pertaining to comunidade. "The people are also ready to pay for the land," he remarked. Meanwhile, the no-confidence motion against the Agonda sarpanch, Mr Shabha Gaonkar will come up before the block development officer tomorrow. In the 7-member Agonda panchayat, six panchayat members have teamed up against the sarpanch alleging dereliction of duty. "The sarpanch is unavailable most of the time," said deputy sarpanch, Mr Pramod Phaldessai, who accompanied Mr Bandekar. He along with other panchayat members alleged that sarpanch was not taking any of the other members into confidence. "He is now forcing us to withdraw the motion and also harassing the people of Agonda," they stated, adding that he provided very little time for the panchayat and village development activity.