DEVENDRA GAONKAR
VALPOI: Valpoi residents have threatened to take the Goa government to court, if the Alvara land issue is not resolved at the earliest. Recently, there have been amendments to the laws relating to the Alvara land, which are not satisfactory to them, said Valpoi residents.
A group of agitated villagers from Sattari, under the banner of Sattari Jagruk Manch led by Ranjitsing Rane, have criticised the Government over its decision to grant only occupancy right by considering the Alvara holders to be occupants of government land.
According to locals, alvara is a permission given to people by the Portuguese government to cultivate and stay in that land. This was a land deal made with the people; and after Goa’s liberation that land came under the Goa government. And now the alvara is a title given by the government to enter in that land and that is temporary.
Now it’s time for a mass movement to seek outright ownership of land belonging to us, say Valpoikars.
“We have questioned the government over its unconstitutional policy decision to grant only occupancy rights, as opposed to definitive title to land. While the amended provisions of Goa Land Revenue, 1968, treat Alvara holders to be unauthorised occupants and encroachers over the government land,” says Ranjitsing Rane, a local.
“In Valpoi town almost 90 per cent residents are Alvara holders. We are living in the town for the past many decades. Now we demand ownership of the Alvara land,” says Mustafa Aga, local.
It is said that as per the amendment, people in possession of Alvara land, will have to pay Rs 5 per square metre to get ownership of land.
“There are 11,000 Alvara holders all over Goa. We don’t have that much of money to pay. Alvara is a grant provided by the Government. And all these lands have history behind them. So we demand ownership of Alvara,” says Parmeshwar Vithal Mauskar.
Alvara land issues are important and most desired issues to be discussed at least for a place like Sattari. I personally feel that the government should not charge a huge amount to regularise these lands as people surviving on such lands are either doing agriculture or the property is just lying idle. The absolute right should be given to owner of Alvara properties so that economic condition of an individual is lifted. Our local MLA Vishwajit Rane has also taken personal interest for processing these properties so that the standard of living is improved,” says Sayyad Sarfraz, Vice chairman, Valpoi Municipal Council.
