PANJIM: The State government has approved the transfer of land of the Department of Agriculture in the village of Ella in Tiswadi taluka to the Department of Museum for the construction of the new Goa State Museum at Ella.
The State cabinet has accorded ex-post facto approval for transfer of land admeasuring 9520 sq mts surveyed under Survey No. 125/1 of Ella Village, Tiswadi taluka with a condition, wherein the Department of Museum has to allow the Agriculture Department to use the existing Mango trees and Banana plants for propagation purpose and harvesting of produce.
“Since the land admeasuring 9520 sq, mts is required by the Department of Museum to start the process of construction of new building for Museum; the same has been transferred and given possession to the Department of Museum on June 2, 2021. The Certificate of Transfer of Land is placed at Cabinet,” read the government note.
The Finance Department has also stated that since the matter is related to transfer of land from one Government Department to another Government Department, to refer the proposal to the Revenue Department.
The Revenue Department requested to convey the Cabinet decision to them to make changes in Record of Rights.
It is to be noted that the Adil Shah Palace in old Secretariat is housing the State museum as the old museum building in Patto had then faced various infrastructure-related issues such as damage to walls due to water seepage and a leaking roof every monsoon season.
There were suggestions floating that the Musuem to be shifted to the Old Goa Medical College (GMC) building latter to the old High Court building.
There was also criticism of the handling and access to the museum at the Old Secretariat in the last few years.
