NT Reporter
Curchorem
The Secretariat of the President of India has taken cognisance of allegations of land grabbing and illegal construction in Xeldem involving property belonging to Shree Sateri Gram Devi and Sateri Shantadurga Temple.
The area covers 13,000sqm of land owned by the devasthan that is classified as agricultural.
Following instructions from the Secretariat, Under Secretary (Revenue-II) Agnelo D’Souza has forwarded the matter to the South Goa Collector, directing an examination and further necessary action.
The case concerns Survey No. 172/2 of Xeldem, a property of Shree Sateri Shantadurga Temple under the control and custody of the Administrator of Devalaya/Mamlatdar of Quepem.
Complainants Vishal Ulhas Gauns Desai and Aditya Raut Desai stated that illegal mutations had facilitated unauthorised construction on the temple property.
It was further alleged that the names of three persons were added to the property records without mandatory documentation or approval from the temple authorities.
They accused the mamlatdar of certifying mutations without verifying custodial rights or securing the government approval required for the transfer of temple properties.
They also alleged that illegal construction had been carried out without clearances from the regulatory authorities. Aditya Raut Desai said that the intervention by the Secretariat of the President of India is a victory of truth. “We expect the collector to investigate mutations done fraudulently and demolish the illegal structures erected,” he said.
