Power, water cut to controversial Canacona ‘ashram’

Canacona: A controversial structure, ostensibly an ashram, at Opem near Sadolxem which was under construction despite notices served by the authorities, on Wednesday had its electricity and water supply disconnected.
The stop-work order had been issued by the deputy collector of Canacona on Monday.
On Wednesday, Ardhofond panch Mahesh Naik and Sadolxem panch Shilpa Prabhugaonkar visited the site along with some policemen and found that work was in progress. Naik questioned a functionary at the site about the authorisation to construct this structure. But the person was not ready to talk. The so-called ashram is owned by one Raaj Shashibhushan Pandey
Last week, Naik had informed the Poinguinim panchayat that an illegal road was being built at the site and trees were being felled without permission.
Poinguinim sarpanch Savita Tawadkar along with the panch members and panchayat secretary inspected the structure that is coming up on a hillock at Opem-Sadolxem. Tawadkar then ordered action.
An aerial shot of the ongoing work posted on social media gave a clear view of the felling of trees and hill-cutting surrounding the building.
The person at the site would not speak to reporters.