MARGAO
In a major decision that may have a bearing on the lease and sale deeds of property belonging to the Sociedade Agricola dos Gauncares de Cuncolim e Veroda, the Managing Committee of the Sociedade has resolved to hand over matters pertaining to the lease and sale deeds to the Special Investigating Team (SIT) for investigations.
Confirming the decision taken at the meeting held on Saturday, Sociedade President Shaba Desai told The Goan that the Sociedade has resolved to submit specific cases of leased properties illegally sold to third parties by way of sale deeds.
The Sociedade president pointed out that he had lodged a complaint with the Fatorda police station a year ago after it had come to light that the lease property was sold and resold by third parties. “The Fatorda police did not initiate any action in the matter. I have got the acknowledgement of my complaint, but till date no case has been registered by the police,” he said.
Shaba further said at least three-four instances have come to light wherein lease of Sociedade properties have been sold via sale deeds by third parties.
He said the managing committee will make a formal letter to the SIT probing into land grab cases to investigate into the cases of sale deeds of Sociedade properties.
The decision by the Sociedade, sources say, may have huge ramifications since the agriculture property belonging to the society cannot be sold via sale deeds.
Sociedade member Oscar Martins said the SIT should probe into cases that have come to light, but all other cases where land belonging to the Sociedade has been illegally sold via sale deeds. “This illegal practice has to stop immediately and those involved in the process of execution of sale deeds should be identified and punished,” Martins demanded.
In one particular instance, he said large tracts of Agriculture property belonging to the Sociedade has been developed into properties and sold to buyers after executing sale deeds. “We have learnt that some of these plots have been sold many times. This has to stop immediately,” he said.
Martins pointed out that SIT should go into the question of how the authorities including the office of Sub-Registrar have executed the sale deeds.
