PANJIM: Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte has warned of action against violators of the just-passed Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill, 2018 asserting that the government would act against illegal land filling and hill cutting without giving notices.
The Bill, which was passed in the just-concluded session of the Legislative Assembly, does away with the present practice of issuing notices and taking up matters in the court, which is an indirect relief to the people.
“There have been instances wherein notices were sent and the concerned person would appeal in the court, which goes on for years. This gives an indirect relief on the illegality he/she has committed. As per the amendment, now if the Town & Country Planning Department and the Environment Department receive complaints, the Revenue Department will be able to act without serving notice,” the minister said on Friday.
He also stated that the government would soon act on the illegality and begin with the process of restoring the land to its original state wherein the entire cost will be recovered from the owner of the land.
As per the Bill which was passed on Thursday, the government will take action against land filling in eco-sensitive areas and restore them.
On the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Construction (Amendment) Bill, 2018 also passed on the same day, Khaunte said the government has granted another 30-day extension to apply for regularisation of illegal houses. Khaunte said a notification to this effect will be issued shortly after which the fresh deadline will be applicable.
