NA
BAINA: Demolition of illegal huts
It was for the second time in 12 years that the Baina coast witnessed a major demolition drive of huts when 74 huts and four religious structures were removed from the high tide zone.
In June, South Goa Collector Venancio Furtado had directed the Mormugao deputy collector to issue demolition notices to these illegal huts, most of which were rented out to the migrants for a rent ranging between Rs 1,500 and 2,000 a month. Despite being illegal, these huts had been paying house tax, and been given electricity and water connections.
On July 10, the South Goa Collector held a high level meeting with government officials to chalk out the demolition drive. The next day, the district administration, along with the disaster management team, demolished 66 huts and four religious structures at Baina Beach.
A delay in the disconnection of water and power connections enabled the migrants to approach the court and obtain a stay on the demolition of eight illegal huts.
On July 15, some huts cropped up once again at the demolition site. What added to the controversy was a visit by Karnataka police to take stock of the demolition and other illegal huts at Baina, without taking prior permission from the State authorities.
On July 17, the court vacated the demolition order and allowed the authority to demolish the remaining eight illegal huts which were demolished on July 20.
Some migrants who could not make alternative residential arrangements were rehabilitated in the SAG Sport complex at Bhute-Bhat Baina.
Further controversy was generated on July 23, when a Karnataka Swamy Basawar Mruthum Jaya visited the Baina demolition site and distributed food and blankets to the migrants from the remaining huts. Karnataka Education and Tourism Minister R V Despande also visited the Baina demolition site and assured all help to the migrants. He also requested the Goa government to allot comunidade land to rehabilitate the migrants.
On August 24, 205 shanties at Baina beach received eviction and demolition notices from the Mormugao deputy collector and mamlatdar. The next day, the migrants staying at the Sports Complex at Bhutea Bhat, Baina Vasco, were asked to vacate the premises to accommodate the migrants of the second-phase demolition of Baina.
On September 1, hundreds of migrants from the illegal shanties at Baina beach along with their children dressed in school uniforms assembled in front of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), objecting to the evacuation and demolition notice. At present, Mormugao Mamlatdar Laximikant Desai is hearing the grievances of the migrants. While the demolition of their structures appears inevitable, the migrants regularly assemble outside the MMC building and shout slogans against the government, demanding a rehabilitation package.