PANJIM: Strongly objecting to the guidelines issued by the Revenue Department for grant of Comunidade land on temporary basis, the Goa Comunidade Ganvkari Association has argued that the State government has no right to fix the prices of Comunidade land.
Under these guidelines, the Comunidade land can be allowed to use for a maximum 30 days for temporary for organising festivals, jatras and feasts. The time limit of 30 days cannot be extended or renewed in any circumstances.
What has irked the managing panels is the Comunidades have been asked to identify and communicate the parcels of land identified under Rule 12 of the Goa Daman and Diu Diploma No 2070 dated 15/4/1961 Rules, 1985. The Administrator of Comunidades will prepare and notify a list of parcels of such land identified under clause (a) immediately.
When any applicant applies for land to the concerned Comunidade, the latter will forward the proposal to the respective Administrator, along with the resolution of the general body, with the details of fees to be charged, areas of be given and time period.
The total area that can be allotted to any applicant is 2.25 lakh square metres and the rate to be levied is Rs 4,500 per square metre.
The Revenue Department has stated that the guidelines have been framed as per the High Court directives to the government for regulating the grant of Comunidade land on temporary basis. Comunidade land being temporary is used for various purposes such as festival, jatras, feasts etc. Since the Code of Comunidade is silent on grant of land on temporary basis, the government has decided to frame guidelines to provide for the procedure and fees for temporary use of Comunidade land.
The Goa Comunidade Ganvkari Association has strongly refused to accept the government’s contention. According to Goa Comunidade Ganvkari Association president Rui Da Gama, the State government has no right to fix the prices of Comunidade land. He said that only the general body of Gaunkars of every Comunidade will decide the market rate of Comunidade land under their co-ownership. Comunidades keep open land for plantation and garden purpose and do not want to convert the community villages into concrete jungles. Comunidade land cannot be used for trading and commercial purposes, he said.
Da Gama further informed that as per the Supreme Court judgement of 2011, the Goa government should first remove all encroachment on Comunidade land before using Rule 12 of Legislative Diploma 2070. He alleged that the government had failed to remove encroachments in village community land despite affidavit by the Chief Secretary and had committed contempt of court.
Meanwhile, the Goa Comunidade Ganvkari Association will hold its IV Comunidade Awareness Fellowship at the Comunidade of Moira hall at 4 pm on October 30.
Former Minister Sadanand Malik will speak on woes of Comunidades today and way forward while Fr Visitacao Lobo will dwell on the beginnings of Comunidades in Goa and Michael Mendonca will narrate the problems facing present generation Ganvkars. Also membership drive of the Association will be launch during the Fellowship.
