THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai has granted his assent to the much debated ‘Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Bill, 2023’, which was passed in the recently held State Assembly which prohibits sale of agriculture land for non-agriculture purpose without Collector’s nod.
With Governor’s assent, the State government has notified the Bill as an Act, whose provisions will come into force from Tuesday, April 18 onwards. The Governor granted his assent to the Bill on Monday.
The Bill was passed in the House amidst protest by the Opposition members, who had rushed to the well.
A provision in the Act empowers the Collector to make exceptions and permit the transfer of agricultural land to non-agriculturists in certain circumstances — if the land is required for agriculture by an industrial or commercial undertaking; if the land is required by a co-operative farming society.
The land shall revert to the government three years from the date of abandonment or discontinuation of the farming activity.
“Any transfer of agricultural land in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be null and void in the eyes of law.” The bill says if any question arises as to whether a piece of land is agricultural or not, the mamlatdar shall settle the matter after holding an inquiry.
