Chicalim, November 4: In a significant development, the Secretary of the Chicalim Village Panchayat has issued a show-cause notice to the Panchayat’s own Sarpanch, Kamla Prasad Yadav, over alleged illegal construction and unauthorised commercial activities at a multi-storeyed complex in Dabolim.

The action has attracted attention as the Panchayat Secretary has formally initiated proceedings against the elected head of the very Panchayat administration in which he serves.

The notice, issued under Section 72A of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, names Sarpanch Kamla Prasad Yadav along with Kevla Prasad Yadav, Shantidevi Yadav, Shashi Yadav and Satyaprakash Yadav.

The proceedings concern premises situated in Survey Nos. 3/1, 5/1 and 7/1 at Dabolim, allegedly involving approximately 95 shops and residential rooms constructed across multi-storeyed RCC structures.

Panchayat’s Own Records Reveal Alleged Violations

According to the notice, commercial activities allegedly commenced on or around April 3, 2018, without the necessary licences from the Panchayat.

The notice refers to an allegedly illegal multi-storeyed building covering 90 square metres in Survey No. 3/1, identified as Venture Building Dreams, and G+1 and G+2 RCC structures extending into approximately 95 shops and residential rooms.

Significantly, the notice describes the property as being situated on Communidade land.

The Panchayat has stated that no commercial licence was granted or renewed under Sections 69, 70 or 71 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act.

It further records that the premises continue to be used for commercial purposes, rental income is being generated and licensing fees, infrastructure tax and house tax remain unpaid.

Why Was No Action Taken Earlier?

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the notice is the Panchayat’s own admission regarding its earlier inaction.

The notice explicitly records that no previous show-cause notice, inspection report, stop-work order or other action had been issued concerning the commercial use of the premises.

It also states that commercial operations continued without the Panchayat taking steps to regularise or stop them.

These observations raise important questions about how the alleged violations remained unaddressed for years and whether the Panchayat administration had previously examined the commercial activities associated with its own Sarpanch.

The action follows a memorandum dated October 29, 2026, from the Directorate of Panchayats, Panaji.

Secretary Invokes Sealing Provisions Against Sarpanch

Invoking Section 72A(1) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, as amended in 2025, the Panchayat Secretary has called upon the notice recipients to explain why commercial activities should not be stopped and the premises sealed.

They have been given seven days from receipt of the notice to submit written explanations along with relevant licences, construction permissions, tax receipts, rental agreements and other supporting documents.

Failure to respond within the stipulated period could result in the matter being decided on the basis of available records.

Copies of the notice have been forwarded to the Block Development Officer, Mormugao, the Director of Panchayats and other concerned parties.

All Eyes on Panchayat’s Next Move

With the Sarpanch himself among those served notice, the case raises questions about accountability, administrative independence and enforcement of Panchayat laws.