PANAJI
A massive controversy erupted over the integrity of Goa’s digital land records, with the government admitting in the Legislative Assembly that discrepancies crept into the survey plans following the adoption of the BhuNaksha software.
Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate, responding to a starred question by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira and Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa on Friday, conceded that migration from old survey plans to the digital platform resulted in several discrepancies and errors, including misrepresented boundaries, changes in the location of structures, etc.
“The existing survey maps were converted into digital files for uploading into BhuNaksha. During verification by surveyors of the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records, various discrepancies were observed, many of which occurred while migrating from the old software,” Monserrate told the House.
As the Opposition raised serious concerns over how some individuals and real estate developers allegedly misused these discrepancies to obtain permissions fraudulently, the Minister confirmed that an inquiry has been initiated through the North Goa Collector and action would be taken based on its findings.
Calling it a scam running into “hundreds of crores”, D’Costa alleged that close to 180 structures, many in sensitive Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ-I) and other prime coastal areas, had been digitally inserted into the survey plans without physical verification.
“The BhuNaksha software has been weaponised for corruption. We had a robust system earlier, but now entries are being manipulated to secure permissions illegally. These fraudulent approvals are paving the way for unauthorised constructions. The government must act strictly,” he demanded during the discussion.
The legislator also pointed out that even the minister’s relative had fallen prey to the manipulation.
“I am not denying the issue. There has been a mix-up. We have the original 1972 plan, a 2004 structural plan that hasn’t been completed, and the integrated digital BhuNaksha introduced in 2019,” Monserrate explained.
Alemao escalated the matter further, stating that over 200 structures across Goa were reflected in allegedly manipulated BhuNaksha plans, and that permissions were granted based on these doctored entries. He cited the case of a developer from Punjab who obtained approvals by misrepresenting facts.
Alemao alleged that more than Rs 600 crore had been collected by a single person and demanded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be constituted to probe the “criminal offence.”
In his written reply, Monserrate confirmed that complaints had been received regarding fraudulent alterations to survey plans, and an official has been directed to cooperate with a vigilance inquiry initiated by the Directorate of Vigilance.
“The Department is in receipt of a complaint regarding fraudulent manipulations of Survey plans and accordingly directed its official to remain present for the purpose of vigilance inquiry before the Directorate of Vigilance,” he said.
