MAPUSA
In a significant departure from the stand taken by most comunidades across the State, the Corlim comunidade on Sunday unanimously approved the State government’s Mhaje Ghar scheme to regularise illegal houses built on comunidade land.
The decision was taken at a well-attended general body meeting, marking a rare instance of a comunidade choosing to align with the government’s controversial regularisation policy.
Corlim Comunidade president Sudhir Kandolkar said a large number of houses “ many built by long-time residents as well as migrants “ have come up illegally on comunidade property stretching from Gatheshwar temple to Saraswat School in Khorlim.
“A lot of discussion took place and finally it was unanimously resolved to welcome the government’s Mhaje Ghar scheme and ensure people benefit from it,” Kandolkar said.
He stressed that the comunidade itself stands to gain substantially. “With the implementation of the scheme, the comunidade will benefit by at least Rs 30 to 40 crore,” he said, adding that the unanimous vote reflected a “practical approach” to a long-pending issue.
Shareholders have also approved the appointment of former Mapusa Municipal Council chairperson Armindo Braganza as the comunidade’s special power of attorney to handle matters related to the scheme.
A comunidade member, requesting anonymity, described the move as “tactical,” given that numerous migrant families have also constructed homes on comunidade land over the years “ making regularisation inevitable and prolonged litigation impractical.
The comunidade is additionally considering the construction of a separate office, signalling an organisational push as it prepares to implement the scheme.
The Corlim comunidade’s decision stands in contrast to several comunidades across Goa that have opposed the Mhaje Ghar initiative, with many having passed resolutions rejecting it outright and even approaching the High Court to challenge what they describe as an infringement on comunidade autonomy and property rights.
By choosing cooperation over confrontation, the Corlim comunidade has set itself apart “ potentially reshaping the debate over regularisation and community land governance in the State.
