PANJIM: The second day of the Budget session of the Legislative Assembly witnessed a verbal duel between Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Leader of the Opposition, Pratapsingh Rane over the enactment of Goa (Abolition of proprietorships, titles and grants of lands) Bill, 2014.
Accusing the government of deliberately adding its name in the column of occupants in Form numbers I and XVI, Rane demanded a rectification to ensure the mundkars and tenants are rightfully vested with the land.
“The name of the custodian of the evacuee property should be added instead. The government does not own the land, except the Mayem lake. It has to be vested to tenants and mundkars of Mayem by implementing the Tenancy Act and the amended Mundkar Act. It cannot claim its occupancy,” he told the House.
As he asked the government not to make an attempt to pass any law against the interest of Mayem locals, the senior most Assembly member recalled how the Goa Abolition of Evacuees Properties Act 1989 consists of enough power to give them ownership rights. “You (government) just cannot take away the title. What makes them bring the 2014 Goa (Abolition of proprietorships, titles and grants of lands) Bill,” he questioned.
Parsekar, who finally stood to reply to the starred question, initially took a dig at the Congress as its age-old Evacuee Property Act 1989 could still not solve the ownership problem of Mayem villagers. “If you feel that the old Act was better than the present one, then we have no problem going ahead with it even if it causes inconvenience to the people,” he said in a sarcastic tone.
Rane then asked Parsekar to ‘act rather than just making speeches’ even as the latter suggested sitting across the table with the opposition to find a way out to solve the vexed issue of people living in the evacuee property.
“I don’t mind walking into your chamber or you coming to meet me to discuss this issue. The Government wants to solve the problem but at the same time, let’s not disrupt the ongoing process going to give ownership to the people of Mayem who are living in the evacuee property,” Parsekar said adding the government intends to complete the process before its term ends.
“What stopped you from giving them ownership? You have enjoyed the lengthiest and an unending stint in the House and were the longest serving CM,” Parsekar shot back. The other Opposition benches then tried in vain to disrupt the proceedings of the House with Rane reiterating his demand.
