Team Herald
PANJIM: The Sattari Bhumiputra Samiti, an association of farmers, reiterated their demand for the withdrawal of the amendment made to the Goa Land Revenue Code with regards to regularization of land grants under Alvara and demanded total proprietorship of the land.
Addressing media persons on Monday, Samiti member Ranjit Rane said we strongly demand withdrawal of the amendment as the Land Revenue Code is not applicable to Alvara land holders as they are part of Goa Civil code.
“We are already owners of the land so where is the question of government giving us ownership. We have got definitive title during Portuguese regime,” he said.
“Hence, we want now total proprietorship and not occupancy,” Rane said further adding that the land should be given to them free of cost and that they will not pay a single rupee.
The Smiti is contemplating seeking legal course with regards to the Land Revenue Code, as it is drafted and amended without taking people into confidence.
Another member Vishwesh Parab said that these lands never belonged to the government in the first place, and as such it has no powers to confer ownership rights on anybody else. “Government should stop brining Alavar land under Land Revenue Code,” he said.
Parab also slammed Valpoi MLA and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane for trying to take “credit” of the farmers movement, by submitting memorandum to Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte. “Rane along with the local body representatives met Khaunte and demanded extension in deadline to submit the application. And Khaunte granted one year time. This was never the demand of the farmers,” he said.
He question as why Rane remained silent spectator at a time when the amendment was passed by cabinet. “All he did now was for self credit,” Parab said.
