MAPUSA
While most comunidades disagreed the questioning of the relevance of comunidades in Goa, some said reforms were welcome but expressed reservations against complete takeover of the age old institution by the government.
"Abolishing of the institution of comunidade, is completely wrong. I completely disagree with this idea," said Servo Fernandes, attorney of Colvale comunidade.
He agreed with the former chief minister that revenue has gone done in many of the comunidades, but blamed the government for the sorry state of affairs in many of these old gaunkari institutions.
"The revenue for comunidades basically came from paddy cultivation and cashew crops. But then, the government has grabbed most of the land from us," he said. The Colvale attorney said many hills were still owned by the comunidades and further added that these hills have a lot of significance.
President of Aldona comunidade Hector Fernandes said the suggestion to take over of comunidades reflects the mentality of a "zamindar".
Members of some comunidades welcomed reforms to safeguard the age-old institution but not to be taken over by the government.
"I would suggest strong reforms to protect the institution of comunidades but not takeover by the government," said Savio Pereira, attorney of Tivim comunidade.
He said some tenants owned huge tracts of comunidade land and wondered whether it was fair to do so.
"How can a tenant own 3, 5 or 10 lakh sq mts of land? The government should also look into these aspects and bring about reforms," Pereira said. A defensive Mapusa Comunidade President Salvador Pinto said he wouldn't like to comment, as he was not aware in what context the statement was made in the House.
Olaulim comunidade President Aldrin Pereira partly agreed with the Rane's opinion, but solely blamed the government for comunidades poor show.
"The revenue which has to come to the comunidade goes to the mamlatdar (government), who collects the ‘forr' from the farmers. There is no accountability of the money collected by the mamlatdar," Pereira said.
On Friday, former chief minister and Poriem MLA, Pratapsing Rane had urged the revenue minister on the floor of the House not to be too sentimental about protecting the comunidades system of land ownership.
"Just because comunidades are old institutions we should not be sentimental. These institutions have lived beyond their time," Rane had said.
