MARGAO
As the Competent Authority of Land Acquisition has set in motion the process to determine the quantum of compensation payable to the land loosers in lieu of land acquired by the government for the new high Level Borim Bridge, Loutolim farmers have in clear terms told the Authority that no amount of compensation can replace their agricultural lands, saying their connections with these lands are like an umbilical cord of an unborn child with her mother.
While saying they cannot simply survive without the khazan lands, the farmers, however, have reserved their right to claim for compensation under protest on a later date.
The Competent Authority had on October 30 last had issued a notice under section 3G of the National Highway Act to the land loosers to appear before the Authority of Land Acquisition, office of the Special Land Acquisition Officer and state the nature of their interest in the acquired land on or before November 10.
The notice was issued since the Competent Authority was in the process of determination of amount payable as compensation to the land owners/interested persons by passing an order/award. The Act mandates issuing a public notice for inviting claims from all persons interested in the land to be acquired before proceeding to determine the compensation amount.
Loutolim farmers, the land loosers, in their separate replies to the notice, however, has requested the Competent Authority to withdraw the subject notice under sections 3G, (3) and 3G, (4) of National Highways Act, 1956 and not to proceed any further with the subject land acquisition, until the matter is decided by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
In their replies, the farmers have further requested the Competent Authority to record and accept their submissions that they have sole and complete rights over the lands in Loutolim village.
Chairman of the Loutolim Tenants Association Alberto Pinheiro told The Goan that of the total 80-odd farmers, around 40-odd farmers have filed their objections to the land acquisition. The remaining farmers will file their submissions on Monday. “The notice issued by the Special Land Acquisition officer had set November 10 as the last date to file submissions. Since the deadline was expiring on Sunday, some of the farmers had filed their replies on Friday. The remaining farmers will file their replies on Monday”, Pinheiro added.
Farmers in their replies pointed out that they have been cultivating paddy and maintaining the khazan fields since times immemorial.
They pointed out that the notification under section 3D of the National Highway Act is grossly illegal, adding that all subsequent proceedings, including the proceedings under section 3G of the Act are null and void ab initio. “The proceedings are illegal in view of the failure of the government to first undo the social wrong inflicted upon the communities, families and individuals, namely to correct the land records to reflect that these lands vest fully in the farmers”, the reply stated.
They further pointed out that some of the farmers have already approached the National Green Tribunal challenging the environmental violations by the subject proceedings. “We are well aware that hearings on interim relief are imminent. Others are approaching the High Court in the new few days to challenge the proceedings under the National Highways Act, 1956”, one of the farmers replied.
The farmers further pointed out that the proceedings are illegal solely on account of insufficient notice since the notification only allows seven working days for the affected persons to file their claims.
