Caught Red-Handed, Yet No Action Taken
On April 27, 2025, Rodrigues reported the illegal dumping to the authorities. She alleges that a Taleigao Panchayat member was caught supervising the activity but fled when confronted and failed to produce any legal permits.
“The Panchayat member’s admission of guilt on-site proved this was unlawful. Yet, the government’s inaction suggests collusion,” said Rodrigues. “How much longer must we watch Goa’s fertile fields turn into concrete graveyards?”
Despite repeated follow-ups by local resident Vito Gomes, who petitioned the BDO, Chief Secretary, and Agriculture Secretary, no action has been taken, intensifying local frustration.
Fraudulent Land Deal Tied to Minister’s Family? Activist Francis Coelho dropped a bombshell, linking the illegal construction to the family of Revenue Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, specifically his son Rohit Monserrate. Coelho revealed that the land in question was tied to a 1999 sale deed (Mutation No. 841)—executed when Rohit was just 10 years old—raising serious questions about its legality. “Minister Monserrate claims he never destroyed a single field. Here’s the proof that his family fraudulently acquired Communidade land, manipulated zoning laws through the ODP, and now continues to flout court orders,” Coelho said.
He further noted irregularities in the mutation records, pointing out that “most mutations from that era have 4-5 digits, but this one suspiciously has just three.”
The activists claim that all adjoining plots (Survey Nos. 186/1 to 186/8) are Communidade lands, protected under law and prohibited from being sold, transferred, or developed for non-agricultural use.
Key Questions Raised:
How was a minor “sold” protected Communidade land?
Who authorized the zoning changes that enabled construction?
Why is the Revenue Department silent on its minister’s alleged involvement?
Activists’ Demands:
Immediate halt to all illegal land filling and construction in Survey No. 186
Criminal prosecution of Minister Monserrate, Rohit Monserrate, and all complicit officials
Contempt proceedings against the Revenue Department for failing to act
Full restoration of the paddy fields at the offenders’ expense
Final Warning to the Government
Issuing a stern ultimatum to the BJP-led state government and Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, the activists warned of legal and public action if their demands are not met within 48 hours.
Planned actions include:
Filing a contempt petition in the High Court
Launching a mass public agitation
Naming and shaming every official and politician involved in the alleged scam
“This is not just about paddy fields—it’s about saving Goa’s soul,” Coelho declared. Further stating, “We will fight this land grab with every legal and democratic tool available.”