Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major policy decision that will help revive cultivation in khazan lands, the legal heirs of deceased tenants of these lands will be able to participate in the voting and proceedings of tenant associations that manage the khazans and associated sluice gates.
This move is aimed at establishing transparency and democracy in electing the associations which have become a source of corruption and damage to khazan lands by promoting the interests of the lease owners of the sluice gates.
“Due to the complicated process of claiming tenancy rights there are a handful of tenants who decide the fate of the auctions which are stage managed to benefit the sluice gate lease holders who take the lease at a very low rate, default on the payments and damage the khazan bandhs as well as release saline water into the fields thereby making it impossible to cultivate crops. This vicious circle can be broken once this policy decision is implemented by amending the agricultural tenancy rules,” Khazan Action Committee (KAC) Chairman Ramarao Wagh said.
He added, “A meeting was held to discuss the flooding of khazan fields due to inundation of saline water through sluice gates and breaching of bandhs. In addition to the above policy decision, CM directed the mamlatdar to hold fresh inquiry against the charges levelled against the sluice gate lease holder of Damda Khazan and take prompt action. He also directed the police officials to keep strict vigil to maintain law and order,” Wagh said.
He further said that the Chief Minister assured them that he will encourage the villagers and farmers to oversee the bandh restoration works undertaken by government departments and certify them for quality work before payment is released and also to take up these works in an eco-friendly manner. He said that funds will be provided to immediately repair the bandhs provided farmers come forward to cultivate the fields once they are dried up.
A KAC delegation had met Chief Minister on Friday to apprise him of the flooding due to damage and removal of sluice gates of Damda Khazan.
