24 Mar 2017 | 08:35pm IST
Governor Sinha promises amendment to Tenancy Act
Admits tenants are facing difficulties; will protect tenancy rights
PORVORIM: Tenants, who lost their agricultural land owing to amendments to the Goa, Daman and Diu Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964 can heave a sigh of relief as BJP-led coalition will amend the Act ‘suitably’ to protect their interests.
Addressing the House on Thursday, Goa Governor Dr Mridula Sinha, amidst a boycott by Congress MLAs, conceded that tenants have been facing difficulties as a result of the amendments made in 2014. She informed the House that the government will amend the Act to legally protect the tenancy rights.
“The government is aware of certain difficulties faced by tenants due to recent amendments to the Goa, Daman and Diu Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964. Government is committed to protect the interest of tenants and will immediately amend the Tenancy Act suitably to ensure that all tenancy rights are legally protected,” she said.
The then government-led by Manohar Parrikar had amended the Tenancy Act in August 2014 transferring all cases from the mamlatdar’s office to the Civil Court. This had led a hue and cry among tenants and farmers who had demanded reinstating the old law.
She assured that the government will be guided by ‘cherished values and culture that has prospered throughout the long history of our nation with unique legacy and rich socio-cultural heritage of Goa’.
Goenkarponn resonates in the House
Touching on the aspect that the BJP-led government is a coalition of regional parties and Independents, Governor Mridula Sinha said, “Although the government is a coalition government, it is a coalition of those people who believe that development is unity and struggle of two opposites and have come together only in the interest of our state for overall development of our State.” She added, “While ensuring that our State retains its originality and ethnic charm, ‘Goen’ (Goa) and ‘Goenkarponn’ (Goanness) would be the focal points of all the future policy of the government.”
