Team Herald
PANJIM: Deputy Speaker and North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) chairman Michael Lobo on Friday demanded legislation to ban the sale of agriculture and orchard land to non-Goans in a bid to protect the land for locals.
Speaking to media persons, Lobo said the government should come out with a legislation banning sale of agricultural and orchard land to non-Goans. “25 years domicile certificate from competent authority should be made mandatory for sale of such land,” he said.
Lobo said Goa is the only State where sale and conversion of agriculture land is easy and on the rise. “As per rules, one can buy sanad land or flat or bungalow in any part of the country, including Goa. But not agriculture and orchard land,” he stated.
“There should be a legislation, which will be then made as a law with some stringent penalties and action against the violators,” he added.
Lobo said that he has been raising the demand since 2012 in the House. “But I feel sorry to say that nothing has been done,” he commented.
Reacting to his recent controversy on granting Schedule Tribe (ST) status to Banjara community, the Calangute MLA said the community is already recognised under Schedule Caste (SC) in Karnataka. “Where is the question of giving them ST status,” he said. “Post my comment, everyone said that they are my vote bank. I have not created any vote bank. They are existing there since decades and used as vote bank by my predecessors since beginning,” he said.
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Lobo hits back at ‘friend and rival’ Agnelo with proof
Days after Congress spokesperson and arch rival Agnelo Fernandes charged NGPDA Chairman Michael Lobo of corruption and illegal zone conversions, the latter hit back with proof.
Lobo disclosed that Agnelo Fernandes was the first applicant to seek change of use of land from settlement to commercial in Candolim.
As per records available with NGPDA, Fernandes had requested for change in zone from settlement (S2) to commercial (C3) of survey No 199/9C, 199/11, 199/14 (part) and 199/9D-1 as the property has a hotel.
“I considered his application as he is my good friend,” Lobo said, adding this hotel was also regularised by granting additional floor area ratio up to 100 per cent. Agnelo has taken all the advantage of Candolim planning and development area,” he charged.
