CANACONA
Thanking Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for passing the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, several residents from five panchayats and Canacona municipality said the bill would provide a mechanism to give ownership rights to self-occupied dwellings in Canacona, but sought the removal of the word ‘Bhumiputra’ from the bill.
A representation to this effect addressed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was handed over to Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes on Wednesday.
Three sarpanchas, Suman Gaonkar (Gaondongrim), Badal Naikgaunkar (Agonda) and Jagdish Gaonkar (Poinguinim), Gaondongrim Dy Sarpanch Kusta Gaonkar, Canacona Communidade President Pandurang Naikgaunkar were among those who submitted the memorandum to Fernandes at his office in Chaudi.
The memorandum has also been signed by three persons each from the villages of Loliem-Polem, Gaondongrim, Shrishthal, Agonda, Cotigao and Canacona municipality.
The memorandum stated that several residents have been residing in land belonging to Comunidades and Devalayas as well as on forest land for decades.
“We like to congratulate you for the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill which was passed in the Assembly pertaining to our housing, thereby providing a mechanism to give ownership rights to self-occupied dwellings in the State.”
“However, we would like to request you to delete the word 'Bhumiputra' from the Bill,” the memorandum adds.
Bill will benefit over 500 houses in Canacona: MLA
CANACONA:
Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes said the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill would help regularise over 500 houses in the Canacona constituency alone.
“Most of these houses belong to Goans and hence, the beneficiaries will undoubtedly be Goans, though I cannot deny the possibility that some others may also benefit,” said Fernandes.
“We know several houses with electricity, water connections in Gaondongrim, Cotigao, Shrishthal, Loliem, Poinguinim, Agonda and even Canacona municipality have been existing since decades on lands belonging to Comunidades, Devalayas and forest department. These houses will directly benefit from this Bill.”
Asked why sufficient opportunity was not given to discuss the Bill before it was passed in the Assembly, Fernandes replied: “Despite having known that this bill was presented, the opposition walked out and the Bill was passed without any discussion.”
