Says move rewards lawbreakers, hurts law-abiding Goans
STANDING THEIR GROUND: The managing committee of Assagao Comunidade joins hands with the Save Goa Save Comunidade group on Wednesday to oppose the government’s plan to regularise illegal structures on Comunidade land.
MAPUSA
The Assagao Comunidade has come out strongly against the State government’s proposal to regularise illegal structures on Comunidade land, terming the move as “unjust” and “wrong”.
Addressing members of the Save Goa Save Comunidade group, Attorney of the Assagao Comunidade, Nelson Fernandes, said the government’s plan would only reward lawbreakers and hurt Goans who follow legal procedures before constructing on land.
“We strongly oppose the government’s move to regularise illegal structures. The government should first put its own house in order. There are Alvara lands and evacuee properties which the government has failed to address. These should be prioritised before touching Comunidade lands,” Fernandes asserted.
He pointed out that Comunidade land is essentially private land governed by the Code of Comunidade and should not be interfered with by the State.
“I don’t understand why the government wants to touch Comunidade land. Illegal constructions are mushrooming, and authorities are turning a blind eye. At least our lands are still being protected by the managing committees,” he said.
“We are not going to part with our land,” he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Assagao Comunidade President Ruildo D’Souza said the institution was facing relentless challenges due to a rise in illegal constructions.
“The institution is being attacked like white ants. We resolve one issue, and another pops up – it’s never-ending,” D’Souza said, adding that the Comunidade receives little to no support from the government departments concerned.
Despite the challenges, he highlighted the Comunidade’s contributions to public welfare.
“We have donated large parcels of land to various organisations and institutions. Around 80,000 sq. mtrs were given to Dnyanprasarak Mandal, another 60,000 sq. mtrs to the Agnel Institute of Technology, besides land for a power substation and a playground,” he said.
The Assagao Comunidade has now pledged to intensify its opposition to the regularisation policy and defend its land rights vigorously.
