Outgoing Congress government headed by then Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat had bulldozed its way to acquire land admeasuring 1.15 lakh sq mts in Davorlim village for a multi-utility project despite strong protests and opposition by the local populace. Guilherme Almeida now finds out that a number of institutions have made a beeline before the district Collector for allotment of the acquired land even before the government could lay down the criteria for land allocation.
Institutions and trusts make a beeline for land “forcefully” acquired by the previous Congress government in Davorlim. While local villagers keep their fingers crossed over the return of their ancestral land, the government is yet to unveil guidelines for the utilization or allocation of the land acquired for the so-called “multi-utility” project.
The Congress government had bulldozed its way by acquiring land admeasuring 1.15 lakh sq mts despite strong protests from Davorlim villagers. Then district Collector, G P Naik had set in motion the land acquisition process on grounds the land is required for a multi-utility project.
Investigations by Herald has revealed that as many as 14 parties, including institutions and trusts, have approached the district Collector for allotment of the acquired land to set up institutes. One of the applicants has given its address as Mumbai, while another party has claimed land admeasuring thousands of sq mts for its trust.
Most of the applications were received during the Congress rule – with two applications having the recommendation of then Ministers.
What’s interesting to note is that revenue officials are just groping in the dark how to go about the matter. Questions are raised how individuals and institutions are making a beeline for the acquired land when the government is yet to invite applications from the institutions. Revenue officials pointed out that no guidelines are laid down for processing of applications for allotment of the acquire land. “We have decided to write to the higher revenue officials for a decision on the matter”, remarked a revenue official.
That’s not all. The government is yet to take a policy decision whether the land in question will be allotted for a educational hub or other institutes as well.
Incidentally, Davorlim villagers have not given up their claim on the land of their ancestors. After a long-drawn out struggle, villagers say the acquired land ought to be preserved and reserved for community projects keeping their interests in mind.
Says Davorlim Communidade Attorney, Slyvester Niasso: “The government has forcefully acquired the land of our ancestors. It’s a year since the land was acquired by the government, but it is now being encroached for dumping scrap yard. Though the government has now acquired the land, we want our land to be preserved and reserved to meet the requirements of villagers. Nothing should come up on the acquired land at the cost of the villagers’ interests”.
Navelim MLA and Fisheries Minister, Avertano Furtado had made an election promise to Davorlim villagers to return back their land. However, with Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar ruling out the return of acquired land to the owners, Avertano has favoured projects on the acquired land beneficial to the villagers.
Says Avertano: “I have been approached by the villagers to set up a sports complex and a community hall on the acquired land. Some say the land be reserved for cattle grazing. We have not taken any decision. But, one thing is clear that the government will do nothing against the interests of the villagers”.
