TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikarhas said he would bring about a law in the next session of the assembly to prevent the sale and conversion of agricultural land as part of his efforts to protect the identity of Goa, with or without special status.
Today if a person buys a plot of land and legally converts it to settlement, I cannot stop him, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said briefing media persons on his pitch for special status before the Prime Minister to help regulate land appropriation and sale.
“The Prime Minister said he’ll refer the matter to the law department and that a decision on special status will have to be taken along with other states,” Parrikar said.
Meanwhile, Parrikar said that he would move towards preserving Goa’s culture through a legislation he plans to bring out banning the sale of agricultural lands as well as through a proper Regional Plan.
“If today a person converts a piece of land that he is legally allowed to convert, how can I deny him permission? And if it is denied, he will approach the court and seek directions that permissions be given to him. This has happened in the past,” Parrikar said.
“We have to make efforts to get special status and get what we are trying for by doing what is possible now,” Parrikar said.
Parrikar said the concern was over housing properties in the state and the state government not having any control over it. He further said that the special status Goa was seeking was on the lines of that of Himachal Pradesh and the North Eastern states where land could not be bought or businesses could not be started without getting a local partner who holds 51% share in the venture.
The common allegation against successive governments has been that permissions are being given to all and sundry without a thorough verification process and not in keeping with the ethos of the state. “We told the Prime Minister that immigration has raised demographic issues, cultural dilution, large construction in housing, where a sleepy village is being given an urban look and feel,” Parrikar said.
Agriculture being a state subject Parrikar said he would bring about a law in the next session of the assembly to prevent the sale and conversion of agricultural land as part of his efforts to control the situation with or without special status.
