Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: The fellowship of Gauncares of Comunidades, which met at the Xavier Centre for Historical Research on Sunday, resolved to challenge the State government’s newly enacted law that seeks to regularise illegal houses on comunidade lands.
A panel of lawyers briefed the gathering on the legal implications of the legislation and fielded queries on related issues. The lawyers also urged comunidades to conduct surveys of their holdings and compile proper records, including details of encroachments, using survey plans and maps available with the Land Survey Department. Many comunidades presently lack updated documentation of their land, they pointed out.
The legal experts further guided comunidade officials and members on how to mount a case against the legislation.
Addressing the fellowship, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas denounced the law as a misuse of legislative power that undermines Supreme Court rulings and the rule of law. “If the government truly cares for those occupying comunidade land, it should first acquire the plots, pay the comunidades compensation at market value, and only then transfer ownership through legal sale deeds,” Viegas asserted.
