Quepem: A move by Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) to construct nine shops for rehabilitating shopkeepers from the old Quepem market building has kicked up a row.
Last month, QMC constructed two shops atop septic tanks situated on the edge of the Paroda irrigation canal, and one more shop near the tanks.
A Sulabh Souchalaya official said that they had written to QMC objecting to the construction of these shops. "It will be difficult to carry out maintenance and emptying of the tanks," the official said.
Six more shops have been built at the bus stand, in space that was earmarked as seating arrangement for passengers. The bus stand, located in the heart of Quepem, was inaugurated by then chief minister Francisco Sardinha on August 14, 2000, during QMC chairperson Manuel Colaco's tenure. The structure remains unutilized till date, and is currently occupied by rickshaws.
Power connections have also been issued by the electricity department to the shops. Assistant engineer, Quepem, R Mahadevappa told TOI that the connections were issued on the basis of an approval from QMC.
When contacted, deputy town planner, Vinod Kumar said that the TCP department has not granted any approval for constructing the shops.
QMC chairperson Raul Pereira, however, said that the shops are temporary and will be demolished once the new market complex is completed.
The old Quepem market building is being demolished to pave way for a four-storeyed market complex at an estimated cost of Rs 11.25 crore.
Social activist and advocate, Fredrick Pereira, said that the authority which is supposed to act against such violations is itself undertaking illegal construction in public places under the guise of rehabilitation.
Last month, QMC constructed two shops atop septic tanks situated on the edge of the Paroda irrigation canal, and one more shop near the tanks.
A Sulabh Souchalaya official said that they had written to QMC objecting to the construction of these shops. "It will be difficult to carry out maintenance and emptying of the tanks," the official said.
Six more shops have been built at the bus stand, in space that was earmarked as seating arrangement for passengers. The bus stand, located in the heart of Quepem, was inaugurated by then chief minister Francisco Sardinha on August 14, 2000, during QMC chairperson Manuel Colaco's tenure. The structure remains unutilized till date, and is currently occupied by rickshaws.
Power connections have also been issued by the electricity department to the shops. Assistant engineer, Quepem, R Mahadevappa told TOI that the connections were issued on the basis of an approval from QMC.
When contacted, deputy town planner, Vinod Kumar said that the TCP department has not granted any approval for constructing the shops.
QMC chairperson Raul Pereira, however, said that the shops are temporary and will be demolished once the new market complex is completed.
The old Quepem market building is being demolished to pave way for a four-storeyed market complex at an estimated cost of Rs 11.25 crore.
Social activist and advocate, Fredrick Pereira, said that the authority which is supposed to act against such violations is itself undertaking illegal construction in public places under the guise of rehabilitation.
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