Members of GAKUVED Federation at the South Goa district Collectorate on Wednesday. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Members of the tribal communities under the banner of GAKUVED on Wednesday handed over a memorandum to the South Goa district Collector with a plea to issue sanad to the Cumeri land cultivators of Gaondongrem and Cola villages.
The delegation said they will be forced to knock the doors of the judiciary if the government dilly dallies on their demand any further.
The organization has constituted a panel of lawyers to assist the Cumeri cultivators to get their sanads as a matter of right.
GAKUVED general secretary Rupesh Velip pointed out the organization has petitioned to the South Goa Collector on behalf of around 343 Cumeri cultivators from the two villages for early issuance of Sanads.
They pointed out that the Cumeri land was distributed/allotted to the Cumeri cultivators in the year 1964 by a Committee consisting of the taluka Mamlatdar, Block Development Officer, Range Forest Officer for raising cashew cultivation, mango, jackfruits etc and other to carry out other agricultural cultivation. The cultivators are now in possession of the allotted land and their cultivation, which is the only source of their livelihood. It is crystal clear that the inquiries, verifications and final reports compiled by the Mamlatdar and deputy Collector, show that the cumeri cultivators have been occupants of the land”, he added’
Warning protests in the matter if the government does not initiate immediate action within 30 days in the matter, GAKUVED said the delay by the government has infringed on the fundamental rights of the members of the tribal communities. “We will chalk out the future course of action, including filing a petition in the High Court if the government fails to mete out justice for these communities”, he said.
Uday Gaonkar pointed out that GAKUVED will call on the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Revenue Minister Jennifer Monserrate and submit copies of the memorandums calling for early relief to the tribal communities.
