To Goanet - For an introduction to this 'farmhouse' scam, see -
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-April/072009.html I got a closer look at this 'farmhouse' of Lalit Sharma - http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/batim-farmhouse-1.jpg http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/batim-farmhouse-2.jpg http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/batim-farmhouse-3.jpg http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/batim-farmhouse-4.jpg (This is the view from the 'farmhouse') Now take a look at the plan filed with the Batim village panchayat and ask yourself the question: does the structure built look anything like what the approved drawing shows? http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/batim-farmhouse-plan-1.jpg http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/batim-farmhouse-plan-2.jpg I have filed an objection letter with the Batim panchayat - http://www.parrikar.org/misc/batim-letter.pdf The 'farmhouse' is a convenient loophole. On the Old Goa site near Mount Mary dealt with in Part 3/3 (see my earlier Goanet post) we may soon find 6 'farmhouses' on the 6 parceled plots of agricultural land. The trick is - you apply for a 'farmhouse', then go ahead and build your full-fledged bungalow there. Meanwhile, if you are close to Digu or have piles of surplus cash to throw around, file for a conversion. But that's a minor detail these days. Conversion or not, you get the PWD and TCP to issue you a certificate and take it to the panchayat. At the panchayat, everyone will claim that they are not "technical experts" (that is, if the PWD & TCP have given the green signal, who are we to say no?). Occupancy certificate is issued. What you & I see is something that looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like duck. That is because it IS a duck. But the PWD, TCP and the Panchayat all certify that it is a sparrow. Everyone lives happily thereafter. End of story. The vandalism of Goa's landscape and the real estate scams going on right now in Goa are unbelievable. The biggest farce of all is the GBA and its convener Dr. Oscar Rebello. They have "bachao'ed" NOTHING. Read my lips: the GBA has been one cruel flatulent joke on the people of Goa. Conversions are ongoing at a fast and furious pace, presided over by the CM and TCP Minister Digambar Kamat, the selfsame Digu who was pronounced as "valiant, forthright and amazingly far-sighted" by Dr. Oscar Rebello (Gomantak Times, Jan 7, 2008). The same Digu who is dear to another GBA cockalorum Aravind Bhatikar. Other than preening themselves in public, appearing on TV shows, providing quotes to national media, the GBA's ragtag and bobtail brigade has done precious little for Goa. Dr. Rebello should step down from the GBA. I don't need no lessons anymore from no freakin' Goan activist. I have seen the destruction and the record myself - pratyaksha. Some of these self-serving Goan activists have done as much, if not more, harm to Goa as the pols. r
