MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday urged mundkars to file police complaints if their landlords deny them permission for constructing toilets or obtaining water and electricity connections.
He emphasised that no separate No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required for these basic amenities and landlords cannot obstruct access to such essential services.
Sawant further clarified that a mundkarial declaration is only necessary for renovating or rebuilding a house.
He was responding to concerns raised by Mayem MLA Premendra Shet, who highlighted the persistent struggles of mundkars facing harassment from landlords.
Shet called for amendments to the Mundkar Act, citing prolonged difficulties in securing their rights to property.
Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserratte informed the Assembly that the government had resolved 2,300 mundkarial cases, but new cases continued to emerge since there was no sunset clause on the issue.
“There are clear directions from the Revenue Department to all mamlatdars to take up mundkarial cases even on Saturdays. Of the 2,500 cases from 2022, we have resolved 2,300. However, an additional 1,500 cases have surfaced,” Monserratte stated.
Shet pointed out that many mundkars were denied access to basic facilities such as water and electricity due to obstacles created by landlords.
In response, the Revenue Minister said that adequate laws were in place to protect mundkar rights.
“If a mundkar faces harassment from a landlord, they can approach the mamlatdar, who will take immediate action and provide necessary relief,” Monserratte asserted.
Citing a specific case, Shet mentioned a woman who was unable to secure a water connection due to an ongoing legal dispute.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar intervened in the discussion, recounting an incident where he assisted a mundkar in building a toilet based on government assurances.
However, the landlord later lodged a complaint with the Block Development Officer (BDO), prompting an inspection.
The Chief Minister clarified that if a toilet is constructed within three metres of the house, it cannot be removed.
“The increasing number of mundkarial cases indicates public trust in our government,” Sawant stated.
Meanwhile, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral raised concerns about delays in resolving mundkarial cases, noting that some files had been pending for over seven years.
He urged the government to conduct regular reviews of case disposals.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai echoed these concerns, highlighting the significant backlog and stressing the need for stricter accountability among mamlatdars.
