CM, Congress MLA spar in House over ‘land grab’ law

PANAJI
The Goa Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed chaotic scenes with a heated exchange between Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira over the Goa Escheats, Forfeitures, and Bona Vacantia Bill, 2024, which sought to manage and dispose of unclaimed and abandoned properties in the State.

The verbal duel erupted after Ferreira raised a Calling Attention on the Bill – now an Act – questioning its implications and expressing concerns about the broad powers it could vest in the government.

“This Bill claims to protect Goa’s land, especially those lying vacant or abandoned and vulnerable to illegal encroachments and fraudulent transfers. But if you look at the Preamble, it clearly states the Bill seeks to make provisions for the administration, control, custody, and disposal of such properties,” Ferreira said.

He referred to Section 9 of the Act, which mentions that once such properties revert to the government, they will be disposed of “in such manner as may be prescribed.”

Ferreira, former Advocate General, argued that whenever the government takes a property, it has to be auctioned.

This prompted a sharp reaction from the Chief Minister, who objected to the line of discussion, stating this was not a Bill discussion. He went on to defend the government’s action on land grab cases, claiming that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to investigate. “So far, 22 cases have been registered, 8 FIRs transferred to police stations, 12 chargesheeted, 3 FIRs quashed and 2 final reports filed. A total of 75 people have been arrested including 6 government servants. Accused Mohd Suhail has been arrested 13 times,” Sawant disclosed as he updated the House on the probe.

Sawant further took a swipe at the Opposition’s criticism, while the latter indicated the government was intending to take over the abandoned properties deliberately.

“For them, is it fine when people grab land, forge papers, and even get cases registered? But when we bring in a Bill to fix the problem, suddenly the government is accused of land grabbing,” he said angrily. “Where were you all when the cases were being registered?”

Ferreira, however, continued to press the issue, asking for the definition of abandoned property to which the Chief Minister explained, “It means properties which have not been claimed, that have become no man’s land... We have kept (a gap of) 10 years for it (for owners to claim the abandoned property).”

Goa Forward MLA Vijai Sardesai also joined the debate, asking how many properties had been identified since the Bill was passed. Ferreira intervened, pointing out that 60 cases were already known, as informed by the government. “The figures revealed by the government itself mean it was aware of the situation before drafting the legislation,” Ferreira argued.

The Chief Minister warned the legislators not to make defamatory speeches. “If you have issues, go to court and challenge the Bill,” Sawant told Ferreira.

CM slams MLA’s ‘official land grab’ claim, demands video removal

PANAJI: Amidst the debate, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant took objection to MLA Carlos Ferreira’s video claiming that the government was indulging in ‘official land grab’ through the Bill. The Chief Minister demanded that the video be removed, to which the MLA refused, citing his “right to speak.”

“I have the right to speak... My video is based on facts. The Bill introduced in the Assembly last year was misleading and a complete official land grab,” he said, which was seconded by GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai.

Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar intervened, asking the MLA to withdraw the video. “I have not watched the video, but if the members feel it is defamatory, withdraw it,” Tawadkar said, as Ferreira once again refused to do so.