A Farmers Convention held in Marcaim, Ponda, saw agricultural workers uniting to demand amendments to the Kul and Mundkar Act, asserting that the existing legislation, introduced by former Chief Minister Bahusaheb Bandodkar, has failed to deliver justice to them over the past fifty years. The farmers pressed for changes that would require landlords or Bhatkars to provide ownership documents, aligning with the existing requirements for tenants and Mundkars.
The gathering, attended by fervent farmers, expressed dissatisfaction with the current Kul and Mundkar Act, citing its alleged shortcomings in safeguarding the rights of those cultivating the land. Farmers insisted that the proposed amendments should extend the burden of proof to landlords, demanding they produce ownership documents, akin to the obligations placed on tenants and Mundkars.
Marcaim Panchayat Sarpanch, Shailendar Panajikar, voiced support for the farmers’ demand, pledging the full backing of the Panchayat to address the concerns raised. The Farmers Convention provided a platform for the agricultural community to articulate their grievances and advocate for changes that would enhance their rights and ensure equitable treatment under the law.
Prominent legal expert Adv Sadananad Vaigankar shed light on the historical context, emphasizing that even during Portuguese rule, selling land in Goa was challenging. He called for a government investigation into the factors that facilitated the ease of land sales to outsiders post-Goa Liberation.
The post-liberation introduction of the Tenancy and Mundkarial Act aimed to grant rights to tillers and protect the interests of landowners residing in houses. However, farmers at the convention argued that the act has fallen short of delivering justice, asserting that it primarily safeguards the interests of landlords selling land without concrete proof of ownership.
After extensive deliberations at the convention, farmers from Marcaim, Pernem Nagrik Samithi, and Ponda Farmers Association collectively called on the government to amend the Tenancy and Mundkarial Act. Their demands center around ensuring a fair and just legal framework, where landlords are also required to produce ownership documents, analogous to the obligations imposed on tenants and Mundkars. The call for amendments resonates with the broader goal of creating a more equitable and transparent agricultural landscape in Goa.
