PANAJI
Amendments to the Code of Comunidades and tackling illegal constructions on Comunidade lands are among the 12 key issues pertaining to Comunidades in the State to be discussed at a convention at the NIO Auditorium, Dona Paula on January 14.
The meeting under Article 652 of the Code of Comunidades is convened every five years and the last convention was held on January 13, 2019.
In November 2023, the Government appointed a five-member Organising Committee comprising Estifano C. D’Mello (Pilerne), Nelson Joe Fernandes (Assagao), Marvin Stanislaus Gonsalves (Bambolim), Savio Joaquim Filipe Correia (Margao) and Avinash Tavares (Colva). The Organising Committee selected Savio Correia to be the moderator of the Convention.
The names of 319 delegates from various Comunidades have been received by the Organising Committee as on date.
The Organising Committee received 98 suggestions and inputs from various Comunidades, componentes, Comunidade Associations and the public for inclusion in the Convention agenda.
The Organising Committee framed twelve agenda items that are based and derived solely from the suggestions and inputs received.
The agenda covers contemporary issues and topics such as amendments to the Code of Comunidades, functioning of Zonal Administration Offices and Comunidade employees, Administration Office buildings, reforms in Comunidade accounting procedures and systems, Derrama, preservation of Comunidade records, election procedures, revival of defunct Comunidades, perceived discrimination against women, revitalising agriculture through Comunidades, and tackling illegal constructions on Comunidade lands.
Registration of delegates will be from 9 am to 10.20 am. The inaugural session will commence at 10 am, with Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate as the chief guest. The Convention session will commence from 10.45 am onwards.
A special KTC bus has been arranged for delegates to reach the venue and it will leave Panaji Bus Stand at 9 am.
"I appeal to all delegates to participate in a collaborative spirit and solutions-oriented approach, and sharing ideas for the progress and revitalisation of our age-old bodies,” said Savio Correia.
