MARGAO: The South Goa Zilla Panchayat meeting on Friday discussed the comunidade land grab issue which has been highlighted and prominently covered by Herald and HCN consistently.
Welcoming the Regularisation Bill, Nelly Rodrigues asked the ZP to keep a check on the illegal sale of comunidade lands in various ZP constituencies of Goa.
Rodrigues said, “Passing a resolution supporting the Regularisation of Structures Bill by the Government is right and we welcome it. However, we have to keep an eye on the comunidade presidents so that they do not support illegalities and allow them to grow.” Many ZP members have supported Nelly’s call on the issue.
“Some comunidade presidents may misuse this bill to sell land which has already happened to the tune of lakhs of square metres,” Nelly said adding, “The comunidade presidents should not take advantage of this bill and allow encroachments.”
Pointing out to the Herald report on encroachments on comunidade lands, the ZP member demanded that the government take strict action against all violations and illegalities. She claimed that there have been violations and illegalities observed in Quepem, Sancoale and many other areas in South Goa.
“A common man makes so many efforts to build his house, but these illegalities and encroachments on comunidade, flourish without any control,” claimed Nelly.
The matter of shifting the ZP office was also discussed at the meeting. ZP President Navnath Naik claimed that they have not paid much importance to the work of the office as the place had disadvantages of parking and several other drawbacks. The president thus thought of shifting to the new Administrative Office.
A resolution to stage an agitation against the government if it does not devolve powers to the ZP soon was also taken at the meeting.
