Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In an effort to address the growing pendency of land-related disputes, the Goa government has decided to introduce dedicated Saturday hearings by Revenue Officers to accelerate the resolution of cases awaiting disposal.
Under the new arrangement, special hearings will focus on pending Mundkar and Tenancy matters, particularly applications seeking purchase rights under the relevant laws. Cases linked to the Mhaje Ghar Yojana, along with mutation and partition proceedings, will also be taken up on priority.
The decision comes in the wake of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s announcement during a public interaction under the Swayampurna Goa initiative on November 6. He had indicated that special courts would be organised to address delays in resolving revenue-related disputes.
As part of the implementation, serving Revenue Officers will hold additional hearings every Saturday alongside their routine responsibilities. The arrangement is aimed at creating more opportunities for hearing pending matters and reducing the time taken for final decisions.
The government has specifically emphasised the need to expedite Mundkar and Tenancy purchase applications in accordance with the statutory timelines. Officers have been asked to ensure that such cases do not remain unresolved beyond the periods prescribed by law.
The administration has also called for a more streamlined approach to case processing. Revenue officials have been instructed to avoid procedural practices that unnecessarily prolong proceedings, including repeated requests for documents and correspondence seeking details already available in government records.
Maintaining discipline in court proceedings is another key aspect of the directive. Officers are expected to conduct hearings as scheduled and limit adjournments to situations where they are genuinely necessary. The government has also reminded officials of its September 14, 2022 instructions regarding the timely conduct and disposal of cases.
Special attention will extend to applications under the Mhaje Ghar Yojana and pending matters concerning mutation and partition of land, ensuring that these cases are not overlooked during the Saturday sessions.
Collectors will oversee the implementation of the programme and assess the progress made by Revenue Officers. They will be responsible for identifying reasons behind delays and initiating appropriate administrative measures to improve disposal rates.
The initiative is expected to benefit people caught in prolonged land disputes and those awaiting decisions on tenancy claims, residential rights and property-related applications. By introducing an additional day of hearings, the government hopes to make the revenue justice system more responsive and reduce the burden of pending cases across Goa.
