Team Herald
PANJIM: Major amendments in the Comunidade Code are on cards as the State government is examining the recommendations of the five-member Comunidade Commission, which proposed eliminating gender discrimination and bringing fallow land under cultivation to prevent encroachments.
Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte on Wednesday said, “The commission report is under examination. We are studying it in detail to ensure that it is taken to the next level. Accordingly, we will undertake amendments to the Act.”
The High Court of Bombay at Goa had directed the formation of the Comunidade Commission in an order and accordingly the Commission was formed in March 2013. Former deputy chief minister and then revenue minister Francis D’Souza was convener of the Commission. A 210-page report was submitted to the government in December 2015.
The Commission had also suggested that shareholders be given the right to purchase comunidade land.
Stating that the comunidades have become very cautious in their functioning now, the Minister said the government will not tolerate any nonsense, irregularities or corruption in the bodies. “We will initiate action wherever required,” he said.
Khaunte said the process to revive defunct comunidades has begun, wherein directions are being issued to the bodies to conduct elections and appoint representatives or the government will do so.
Cracking the whip on illegal structures built in Colvale comunidade land, the Minister said that a show cause notice has been issued to the committees that oversee the functioning of comunidade in this regard. He said that seven structures are also being demolished.
“If they are unable to justify for the illegalities that have been carried out, then action will be taken as per the law,” he said.
