Draft policy for regularisation of encroachments on agri land pending
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Even after two years, the draft policy for regularisation of encroachments on agricultural and non-agricultural and communidade lands is pending.
The policy was drafted by the erstwhile Congress government proposing a cut–off date as on December 19, 2010 to apply for regularisation of encroachments on government land. The date of December 19 was chosen as it was the beginning of the golden jubilee celebration. However, the draft policy has not seen the light of day even after the end of golden jubilee year.
The BJP government is in favour of pushing the policy and two meetings were convened, but they had to be deferred for some reason or the other. Sometime back, Revenue Minister Francis D’Souza had issued stern orders to his officers to act and remove encroachments on government properties.
As per the draft policy, deputy collector should suo motto consider all pending cases before him and proceed to finalise them within six months provided all necessary approvals and documents are received by him. The deputy collector will be at liberty to consider documents for the purpose of regularisation of encroachments in terms of the existing policy of the government.
The draft policy stated that eviction proceedings would be initiated against all the encroachments done after December 19, 2010. Also district collector would be vested with powers to take action in accordance with section 38 of the Land Revenue Code and Rules made there under for the grant of occupancy certificate.
The policy also explicitly stated that encroachers who are granted Class-I occupancy under Land Revenue Code shall not be entitled to alienate or create third party interest. If there is violation on this count, land would be reverted to the government and any such transfer of right in such land shall be void ab initio.
The benefit of this policy decision shall apply to individuals including joint families, charitable and religious organisations, schools etc but it will not cover any firm, companies and non–government organisations.