Govt at receiving end over comunidade imbroglio

the goan I network
PORVORIM

Saligao Comunidade Attorney Austin D'Gama said he was very upset over the statement made by Rane that government should not be sentimental about the comunidade.
"In the first place, the comunidade is an age-old institution formed by villagers more than 450 years ago, prior to Portuguese rule in Goa. Even the Portuguese did not directly interfere in the administration of the comunidade. The State government has no right over comunidades as such."
"The administration of comunidades are managed by committees elected by their respective gaonkars and shareholders. The comunidade pays tax in the form of ‘Derrema' to the Administrator of the comunidade every year, said D'Gama.
Serula Comunidade Attorney Agnelo Lobo mentioned that the government has no right over the comunidades and should not interfere in the administration of comunidades. "The government is acquiring land from comunidades for widening of roads, etc. and this is not fair. The government wants to take control of comunidades to take over the property and nothing else."
"The comunidade committee is elected by Gaonkars and shareholders for three years and I feel the government should increase this tenure to five years for proper functioning of the comunidades," said Lobo.
Pilerne Comunidade Attorney Steven D'Mello said comunidades are private bodies formed by gaonkars, who are owners of the land.
"The comunidade pays dividends (Zonos) to the gaonkars every year. If the government takes over comunidades, then Gaunkars would lose all benefits. The gaonkars will not allow this to happen."
"Comunidades have earned a bad name because of corrupt practices followed by some comunidade committees. The government can take action against these committees, but should not think of taking over comunidades," said D'Mello.