MARGAO, SEPT 8
The Digambar Kamat-led government appears determined to acquire land admeasuring 1.20 lakh square meters for the proposed multi-utility project despite stiff opposition from the villagers.
This became evident on Wednesday when the government ordered the South Goa district Collector to acquire the land in question. The order to acquire the land was issued under Section 7 of the Land Acquisition Act, which had now been mandatory for the government following a recent high court order.
Officials in the district Collectorate stated that the government’s order issued under Section 7 of the Land Acquisition Act clearly indicates that the government has no plans to back out from the acquisition proceedings.
Davorlim villagers had been opposing the acquisition of the land in question since the publication of Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act way back in December 2009. Their pleas against the acquisition of the Communidade land, which they claimed was preserved by their ancestors for the original inhabitants of the village, fell on deaf ears when the government published Section 6 of the LA Act in June last.
The villagers had been opposing the land, amongst other grounds, that the land will be used for the setting up of a Kabrastan for the minority community.
Incidentally, the land is being acquired by the district Collector, south, who in his note, pointed out that a multipurpose utility project in South Goa was a long standing desire.
Naik pointed out that the project would cater to the needs of all the inter-linked as well as independent projects for the overall development of the society, wherein the needs of individuals from educational, social and cultural aspects would be catered.
Interestingly, the district Collector stated in his note that if the land in question is not acquired by the government, then there is every possibility of encroachments by miscreants in the land.
