Team Herald
PANJIM: A delegation of elected office-bearers from various Comunidades in the State Goa on Wednesday met Governor P S Shreedharan Pillai to express their concerns regarding the recent amendments made to the Code of Comunidades by the Goa Assembly.
The delegation requested the Governor to withhold his assent to the said Bill and to return it to the Legislative Assembly for reconsideration.
The delegation submitted a memorandum reiterating that any amendments made should follow the protocol laid down in Article 652 of the Code of Comunidades, which provides for consultation, deliberation and participative decision-making by the stakeholders in a democratic manner.
They also expressed their apprehension that any dilution in the essence of the Code of Comunidades could weaken these bodies and render them ineffective and redundant in the current circumstances. They suggested that the Comunidades could be effectively utilised as a ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’ for revitalising agriculture in the State.
Highlighting the issue of encroachment and land-filling on Comunidade lands, the delegation requested the Governor to call for a report on action taken by the government to curb the menace.
Furthermore, pursuant to an order of the High Court, the government constituted a ‘Comunidades Commission’ in 2014 to address various issues covered in the writ petition. The Commission conducted extensive hearings and consultations and presented its findings and report to the then Chief Minister of the State in February 2016. The delegation felt that any amendments made should be based on the suggestions made in the said Report to make the Comunidades more effective and vibrant in present circumstances.
The Governor informed the delegation that he had already assented to some bills passed in the recently concluded Assembly session, but expressed keen interest in the Comunidade system in the State and the need to revitalise agriculture in Goa by making it attractive for the youth.
The delegation comprised Tulio de Souza (Guirim), Sandeep Khaunte (Bandora), Sávio J F Correia (Margao), John Phillip Pereira (Nagoa) and Oldrin Pereira (Olaulim).
