MARGAO
Permissions for commercial events in agricultural and tenanted paddy fields in South Goa may be a thing of the past in South Goa district.
For, the deputy Collector in the South Goa district Collectorate, Sharmila Gaonkar has instructed all the deputy Collector and Sub-divisional Magistrates, in the South Goa district not to grant/issue any type of permissions in agricultural/tenanted land for commercial purposes.
Saying the instructions will remain in force until further orders, the deputy Collector has said the instructions have been issued with the approval of the district Magistrate, South.
The development comes against the backdrop of the complaint lodged by a resident of Fatorda Jesito Gomindes alleging that permissions are granted for commercial events in paddy fields purchased under the Agricultural Tenancy Land, thereby causing a nuisance to the public at large and in the surrounding area.
The complainant had raised the issue at the Government’s Janata Darbar held at the South Goa district Collectorate when he drew the attention of the Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate to how tenanted land is being exploited for commercial events with permissions issued by the authorities.
“The authorities were involved in unlawful issuance of permissions and no objection certificates for commercial events in paddy fields. Following discussions during the Janata Darbar held on July 3, the Collector has now resolved the issue by issuing necessary directions to prevent violations of the Goa, Daman and Diu Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964 and the Goa Land Use (Regulation) Act, 1991."
He added: “Recognising the gravity of the violations and their impact on the agricultural community and the general public, the Janata Darbar had directed the Collector to take immediate action on my complaint, which had highlighted the blatant violation of the provisions of the law in force.”
