PANJIM: More than 4.20 lakh sq mtrs of the 15-lakh allotted to the Sanjivani factory for agricultural purposes has been officially given away for non-agricultural purposes in an absolute deviation from the purposes for which these lands were allotted. The 15 lakh sq mtrs were meant for the factory as well as for cultivation of sugarcane so that the farmers and their market were next to each other.
The factory is now shut and the agro dream is shattered. Along with the land officially given there are illegal encroachments that continue at will. Therefore, this prime land is literally up for grabs for purposes totally unintended.
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The agriculturists have alleged that the move of the government to usurp the land that was meant for the agriculture cooperative sector
When Satej Kamat, the Deputy Director of Agriculture & Administrator of the Sanjivani Sugar Factory, was asked how much land the factory now holds, his reply was interesting: “We have written to the Deputy Collector to conduct a survey of the original land of Sanjivani to find out how much of the 15 lakh sq mtrs is remaining with us.”
When asked about lands that have been sold or leased to other parties, Kamat informed that 20,000 sq mtrs of land has been given to the Multipurpose College and 2 lakh sq mtrs have been recently given to National Forensic Sciences Institute.
When asked about the extent of encroachments on the Sanjivani land, Kamat informed that “there are 50 to 60 houses and two stone quarries operating on the land. The survey has been asked to find out these aspects”.
THE BACKGROUND
Almost 15 lakh sq mtrs of land was leased to the Sanjivani Sugar Cooperative in the year 1972, which served a large number of farmers from Sanguem, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda and Dharbandora, and even Canacona. The plant continued to function with the limited resources and the logistical issues surrounding the sugarcane crop of Goa. However, the Government decided to completely shut down the operations of Sanjivani. While the Government tried to pacify the displaced farmers, Sanjivani’s land was being given away to institutes and government-supported projects.
In 2018, the government gave away 2 lakh sq mtrs of land to the Bar association for a law college, and the management has no record of this transaction whatsoever.
What’s even more shocking is that the Sanjivani has got a meagre Rs 4.8 crore for completely selling off their 2 lakh sq mtrs of land to the National Forensic Sciences Institute.
The Government, under PPP, is planning to give the entire plant land to a private party for setting up an Ethanol Blending Plant and another parcel of land for a truck terminus.
Now, the District Magistrate has reportedly asked for another area for Disaster Management. All this is only proving that the government is in no mood to revive the cash crop, sugarcane,which was once a jewel in the crown of the cooperative sector of Goa.
The farmers too have spoken out against apathy toward the sugarcane trade in Goa.
Chandan Unandkar said, “The government has given up precious land that belongs to the Sanjivani Sugar Cooperative. What kind of cooperative is this where the farmers are not taken into confidence at all?”
“The strategy to usurp the Sanjivani land is exposed. To save themselves from criticism and opposition, the plant was allowed to die. They wanted the farmers to quit cultivation, so that they take away the land that was meant for the agriculture cooperative sector,” Unandkar alleged.
Herald made several calls to Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik which were not received.
