Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: Components of Goa’s Comunidades today criticised the government’s recently introduced Regularisation Bill, terming it “vote bank politics” and illegal, and announced their intention to challenge it in court. Speaking at a media interaction in Margao, they alleged that both the Administrator of Comunidades and government authorities are responsible for the proliferation of illegal structures on comunidade land.
The bill, approved in Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, provides a 20% penalty on the total plot value for encroachers on comunidade land, with funds to be directly deposited with the respective comunidade. Encroachers must also obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the managing committee, which will be adjudicated and deemed granted by the Administrator.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant clarified the fee structure under the amended Land Revenue Code and Code of Comunidades. Homes built before 1972 will be charged Rs 25 per square metre, those between 1973–1986 at 50% of 2014 circle rates, and 1987–2000 at 75% of the circle rates. For houses built on government or comunidade land between 2001–2014, fees for ‘Class I Occupancy’ rights up to 300 sq metres will be 100% of circle land rates.
Encroachers will receive land ownership up to 300 sq metres, with excess land forfeited to the government or comunidade. The amendments also stipulate that Class I Occupancy rights will be granted following payment, but only within defined limits.
The Comunidades’ opposition highlights ongoing tension between the state government’s regularisation efforts and local land-owning bodies, setting the stage for a possible legal battle.
