THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Managing committees of over 50 Communidades from across Goa on Monday expressed strong opposition to a government proposal to amend the Code of Communidades ostensibly to regularize illegal structures in Communidade lands.
"If the government wants to make any changes in the Code of Communidades, it should be discussed with the Communidades. We will oppose any move of the government to amend the code and request it to restrain from bringing any legislation to this effect," said Capt Venzy Viegas, President of Carambolim Communidade.
Viegas was addressing a meeting at Asha center in the city here where representatives of over fifty Communidades attended.
President of Olaulim Communidade Oldrin Pereira, attorney of Chandor Communidade Joel Fernandes were among those who addressed the meeting.
Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte should spell out if the government is intending to bring a legislation to amend the Code of Communidades so as to regularise illegal constructions in Communidade lands in the upcoming monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, they said.
"We will oppose every move of the government to amend the Code of Communidades unitedly. Communidades are independent institutions and there is a need to safeguard it," Viegas further said.
Pereira meanwhile said the government has to take all stakeholders, which is the Communidades across Goa into confidence before passing any legislation.
"We will not be a mere spectators. We will submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the Revenue Minister," Pereira added.
The government move to amend the Code of Communidades to provide for regularisation of illegal structures in the village community lands sent alarm bells ringing among components of the age-old village bodies and evoked criticism from Communidades across the State.
Earlier last week, Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte had said the government would place the report of the Comunidade Commission, set up following a High Court direction, before the upcoming monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
