PANJIM: In a major decision, the State Cabinet on Friday approved regularisation of all Alvara grants as Class I occupancy rights on payment of fees and taxes imposed by the government. The Alvara grants were gifted to several Goan families by the Portuguese around the year 1917.
The Council of Ministers resolved to approve the enactment of an amendment to the Goa Land Revenue (Disposal of Government Land) (Eight Amendment) Rule 2016. Government has decided to pass an ordinance in this regard and then introduce it as a Bill in the Assembly.
“There are many people having the Alvara grants, but even after 99 years they have not become owners. Hence, we decided to regularise these by giving them occupancy rights,” Parsekar told media persons after the cabinet meeting.
“As per the decision, those in possession of Alvara grants will become owners once they pay the required fees and taxes as fixed by the government,” Parrsekar added.
The chief minister said that the decision on regularising Alvara grants into Class I occupancy rights is required to be taken in pursuance of the provisions of the Land Revenue Code. “The Land Revenue Code has made provisions for re-classifying occupants as occupant Class I under Section 24 (4),” he explained.
As per the amendment, in the Class ‘A’ municipal areas, the charges would be Rs 150 per sq mtr, in Class B it would be Rs 100 per sq mtr and for the Class C municipalities, the fees would be Rs 80 per sq mtr.
Similarly, for Class A panchayats that is the coastal areas, the fees applicable would be Rs 75 per sq mtr, in Class B it would Rs 65 per sq mtr and in Class C panchayats the fees would be Rs 50 per sq mtr.
“The regularisation is not compulsion. It has to be voluntary. We are not going to force anyone. Whoever is interested in converting from Class II to Class I occupants, can apply,” the chief minister clarified.
Stating that large illegal transfers of such alvara grants have taken place, Parsekar said that once occupants become Class I occupant, they would have no restriction to transfer under this Revenue Code.
