PONDA: Farmers gathered at the Madkai-Ponda Farmers Convention, voicing their demand for amendments to the Kul Mundkar Act to address long-standing issues related to land ownership. The convention saw active participation from farmers who expressed dissatisfaction with the existing legislation, claiming it failed to deliver justice to them over the past fifty years.
The Kul Mundkar Act, introduced by former Chief Minister Bahusaheb Bandodkar to protect the rights of those who till the land, and live on the land, has been a point of contention among farmers. The farmers argued that they continue to struggle to prove and secure their rights at Mamlatdar offices. They asserted that the current legislation primarily protects the interests of landlords, especially those who sell land under the presumption of ownership.
The farmers at the convention called for a revision of the Act, urging the government to introduce amendments that would necessitate landlords to substantiate their ownership rights.
Madkai Sarpanch Shailendar Panajikar pledged full support from the Panchayat to the farmers’ demands, emphasising the need for justice and fairness in land-related matters.
Advocate Sadananad Vaigankar highlighted historical challenges faced by farmers, even during Portuguese rule, when selling land was difficult, but it has become easy to sell land to ‘outsiders’ post Liberation. He called for a thorough investigation into the factors that have facilitated this shift.
At the convention, farmers insisted on amendments to the Tenancy and Mundkarial Act to rectify the existing imbalances and ensure justice for all stakeholders. They urged that landowners should also be required to produce documents proving their ownership rights, challenging the prevalent practice based on the 1/14 form, which, according to farmers, does not constitute adequate proof of ownership as per top court rulings.
Former Sarpanch Bholu Vithu Naik inaugurated the convention, with attendees including social activist Rajendra Ghate, Deputy Sarpanch Sandya Naik, Pernem Nagrik Samithi advocate Sadanand Vaigankar, Jagruti leader Rajesh Naik, and representatives from various farmer associations.