Goemkarponn Desk
PORVORIM: Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Bill, 2023’ was passed amid protest from opposition benches.
Opposition members walked to the well of the house and shouted slogans. Opposition alleged that the govt was trying to sell agricultural land through backdoor by bringing in this amendment.
According to the amendment agricultural land cannot be transferred by sale, gift, exchange, lease, or any other mode of transfer to a person other than an agriculturist, without the collector’s permission.
Incidentally, the bill also has provisions for industries, cooperative farming societies, and non-agriculturists who intend to buy agricultural land to pursue farming.
Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate said that agricultural land will not be transferred by sale, gift, exchange, lease, or any other mode of transfer to a person other than an agriculturist without the Collector’s permission.
The Opposition members alleged that the government was trying to sell agricultural land through backdoor by bringing in the Bill.
Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira said that the culture of farmhouses prevalent in North India where a lot of agricultural lands are acquired, and posh bungalows are built. He cautioned that this culture will be adopted in Goa as well, if the Bill is enacted.
He referred to Clause 29 of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, which states that a holder of any land assessed or held for the purpose of agriculture is entitled to erect farm buildings, construct wells or tanks, or make any other improvements thereon for the better cultivation of the land, or its more convenient use for the purpose aforesaid.
Allaying the apprehensions expressed by the opposition, the Minister said that the Bill is brought with good intentions and has provisions for industries, cooperative farming societies, and non-agriculturists who intend to buy agricultural land only to pursue farming.
Amidst the din, the Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar put the Bill to vote of the House and it was passed by voice vote even as one of the opposition members Viresh Borkar demanded voting in the House.
