Panaji: Minister for Panchayat Mauvin Godinho on Thursday said the government will take action against block development officers (BDOs), sarpanches and village panchayat secretaries if they allow illegal construction in panchayat jurisdictions.

Replying to a question raised by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco in the state legislative assembly, Godinho said that a circular will be issued soon warning that if illegal constructions take place in respective panchayat jurisdictions then action will be initiated against secretary, sarpanch, and if required against BDOs also.

“Let the houses built in the past be regularised by the panchayats.

But henceforth, no such irregularities will be allowed. If required, we will amend the Goa Panchayat Raj Act for the same,” he said.

Reginaldo asked as to how the migrants have constructed unauthorised houses on comunidade lands, urging the minister to stop the wrongdoing.

The minister said the government should make those people living in houses built on comunidade lands as owners to stop the encroachment in future.