SANGUEM
Locals are outraged over the State government’s move to take over 35 lakh sq. mtrs of land at Uguem and Kalay in Sanguem taluka, which were reportedly in their names and the erstwhile Sociedade dos Baldios Das Novas Conquistas Uguem.
They convened an urgent meeting in the village on Monday to discuss their future course of action to get the survey records back in their names. Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar also attended the meeting and assured residents of all possible help in the matter.
According to sources, locals are aggrieved over Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s statement in the recent assembly where he had reportedly claimed the government has reverted 35 lakh square metres of land in the name of the Government of Goa from the erstwhile Sociedade dos Baldios Das Novas Conquistas Uguem.
However while doing so, they alleged that the government also transferred in its name several portions of tenanted lands held and cultivated by villagers and which the villagers had purchased under the tenancy act through an order passed by the Mamlatdar.
When villagers went to check the survey records, they were shocked to see the name of “Government of Goa” in their survey records above their names.
They claimed that the cultivated lands were purchased by villagers decades ago, while some were purchased by their ancestors and sought to know how the government could suddenly stake claim to these lands which are in their possession.
Speaking at the meeting, Uguem Panch Marcus Pereira said the survey records were changed by officials at the Mamlatdar’s office without sending villagers any notices.
“This action by the government is highly questionable and objectionable,” said Pereira.
Assuring all assistance and support in the matter, Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar said the change of records had been done without following appropriate procedure of law.
“Moreover, these lands were purchased by villagers under the provisions of law. How can the government revert the survey records in its name without sending notices to the parties concerned,” asked Gaonkar.
The locals resolved to submit a memorandum to the chief minister, collector and officials concerned.
According to sources, vast amount of lands in Uguem and Kalay and some portions in Colem village were bestowed by the Portuguese government in favour of Sociadade Patriotica Dos Baldios Novas Conquistas Uguem, a society formed under Societies Act.
The government in its recent act found that the Sociadade has no right to continue with the ownership of these lands and reported got over 35 lakh square metres of land in its name without sending any notice to the Sociadade.
This has not only affected the Sociadade, but also a large number of villagers who had acquired ownership rights of paddy fields under the Tenancy Act.
The Sociadade has already filed a writ petition over this arbitrary act of the government authorities in the High Court and the matter is scheduled to come up for hearing on August 24.
