NGO demands stoppage of work, restoration of land
Delegation of Goecho Ekvott including Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai, GPCC Chief Amit Patkar, Dr Claude Alvares, Orville Dourado and Olencio Simoes handing over a complaint to South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus.
MARGAO
Goencho Ekvott has officially lodged a complaint against the South Western Railway and the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd with the South Goa district Collector demanding the immediate stoppage of all ongoing illegal double tracking works in Velsao and Cansaulim villages.
The NGO has further demanded the restoration of the affected land to its original condition.
The memorandum submitted to Collector, Egna Cleetus, IAS by a delegation comprising of Goencho Ekvott founder member Orville Dourado Rodrigues along with Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, environmentalist Dr Claude Alvares, Olencio Simoes, John Douglas Coutinho called upon the authorities to ensure that no work is undertaken until the matter pending before the ISLR authorities is conclusively decided.
The memorandum has further demanded initiation of strict action against those responsible for carrying out unauthorized work in violation of due legal process. Seeking urgent intervention in the matter to safeguard the rights of the affected landowners and uphold the rule of law, the delegation warned that the patience of the people is running out accusing the railways for bulldozing with the work.
The complaint pointed out that Goa government of Goa on May 23, 2023 had directed the conduct of a survey and preparation of Records of Rights in respect of lands presently occupied by the South Western Railways, in terms of Section 56 of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968.
Subsequently, the Director of Settlement and Land Records, through an order dated 29/05/2023, directed the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLRs) of Salcete, Mormugao, Quepem, Sanguem, and Dharbandora Talukas to carry out surveys of all revenue villages through which the railway line passes, and to prepare Form III under Rule 6(1) of the Goa Land Revenue (Records of Rights & Register of Cultivation) Rules, 1969.
“The draft Index of Land was prepared under Rule 30 of the said Rules and kept open for public inspection at the offices of the Superintendent of Survey and Land Records of the respective talukas. During this process, several landowners from Velsao and Cansaulim, along with the Village Panchayats, raised objections asserting that possession of the land continues to remain with the rightful owners. These objections were duly supported with relevant title documents such as Sale Deeds, Inventory Proceedings (in case of inherited properties), Inscription and Description from Land Records (Portuguese-era documents), Matriz Certificates, and Cadastral Plans maintained in the Registo de Agrimensor”, the complaint stated.
