PANJIM: Following protests from Sattari farmers, the State government has decided to extend by a year, the deadline to file application for ownership rights for Alvara properties.
The decision also follows a delegation led by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane to the Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte to resolve the issue.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Khaunte said that the law, Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Act, was brought out to give justice to poor farmers. “In 2017, we amended Goa Land Revenue Code, as the issue of Alvara land, especially in the four talukas of Dharbandora, Sanguem, Sattari and Pernem and few other places was pending for decades,” Khaunte stated.
He informed that the Goa Land Revenue Code has been amended after a CAG report pointed out that names of private persons were mutated into the land records relating to Alvara properties despite the government being the owner.
“… To curb that we brought the law as we understand that most of this land belongs to the farmers. Under the new law, people had to apply within 6 months which ends today,” he said.
The minister informed that people from Valpoi, Sattari and others places requested that they require more time to apply for their particular rights under Alvara decree 602 dated 19/11/1917.
He further said, “The government has taken an in-principle decision that the deadline be extended by a year. Whatever legal steps are required in terms of the amendment to the Act, will be studied and ensure that time extension is given for one year.”
He stated that under Section 37 of the Act, the Government can amend the law.
“The section says that the Government may direct the Collector to entertain the application made beyond the said period of six months, if it is satisfied that the application could not be made within the set period for the reason beyond his control,” he added.
Khaunte pointed out that the delay from people for applying for rights was basically due to delay in translating succession documents.
“Therefore, the time is granted for a year after speaking to the Chief Minister,” he said.
