the goan I network
PANAJI
The convention of all Comunidades in Goa which was scheduled for Sunday was abruptly postponed midway amid allegations that the agenda was not circulated in time and the convention was called when some Comunidades from the Central zone like Calapur were holding elections.
Only around 20 members of the total 225 Comunidade bodies attended the inaugural session where soon after the formal inauguration some expressed their views on the misuse of the Tenancy Act.
The issue of sluice gates was also discussed and then some members raised objection about the agenda not being circulated to the Comunidades in advance.
At around 1.50 pm, the convention was adjourned and it was decided to conduct the adjourned convention some time in February.
“We did not get time to circulate the agenda to the members. Now, the agenda is given to the members and after giving time for proper reconsideration among the member comunidades, we can deliberate on the agenda in the next session of the Convention,” said Tulio DeSouza, Special attorney of five-member commission appointed by Revenue Department to hold the convention.
Meanwhile Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte in his opening address at the Convention said the Comunidades should have accountability in its working.
Meanwhile some Comunidade members who boycotted the convention claimed that it was illegal. “The convention itself is illegal,” said Advocate Andre Pereira.
Pereira said, he boycotted the convention claiming that the Government-appointed Committee does not have the right to decide the agenda of the convention.
“The entire exercise of convening the Convention in terms of Article 652 of Code of Comunidades is unconstitutional and illegal. The illegality cannot be cured by postponement. I am awaiting to file appropriate writ petition to challenge the very authority of Revenue Minister in the matter of Comunidades”, Adv Pereira, who is Secretary of the Association of Components of Comunidades, said.
