MARGAO
There’s finally a ray of hope for the beleaguered land losers from Navelim who lost their land for widening of the NH-17 passing through the village, but have not been compensated by the government.
Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte on Wednesday was huddled with District Collector Dr Tariq Thomas, besides other revenue officials in the South District Collectorate here on Wednesday with a one-point agenda of how to expedite payment of compensation for the land losers.
Upon a petition by Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro, who has taken up cudgels for the land losers, Khaunte on Wednesday demanded a time frame from the district revenue officials to expedite the compensation.
He told The Goan after the meeting that the District Collector has been following up the matter every fortnight, but hastened to add that a several issues are responsible for the delay in awarding the compensation for the land losers.
“The highway road widening work was undertaken by the government during the tenure of MLA Avertano Furtado. Now, incumbent MLA Luizinho Faleiro has taken up the issue and we have assured him speedy clearance of the compensation,” he said.
He said of the total 52 survey numbers, the revenue authorities have almost cleared seven and three more will be cleared in the next few days.
To a query, the Revenue Minister pointed out that the PWD, which had placed funds at the disposal of the authorities as compensation for the land losers, has been told to deposit additional funds.
Franky Pires, who represented Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro at the meeting, said that the meeting has come out with a clear time scheduled for the disbursement of compensation for the land losers. “The Navelim MLA has taken up the issue with the government and he will do the follow up with the officials till all the land losers get the compensation,” Franky added.
