MAPUSA
Strongly objecting the draft amendment giving powers to Collector in land conversion cases, the comunidade of Moira on Monday said the land revenue code was not applicable to the village of Moira as the entire land in the village belonged to the comunidade which functions under the Code of Comunidade.
“As the Code of Comunidade is a law in existence, the Land Revenue Code and other laws cannot supersede the Code of Comunidade. The government can exercise its laws and powers only where there has been grant of land by the Central or State governments but the same cannot be made applicable to the village of Moira which is wholly owned and possessed by the comunidade of Moira,” said Rui Da Gama, President of Moira comunidade in a letter to the Secretary (Revenue).
Gama said there was no grant of land by Central and State of Goa in Moira village, which is entirely owned by the comunidade and governed by Legislative Diploma 2070 of April 15, 1961.
He further informed that the then under secretary revenue vide circular no 17/2/PIL/99-RD dated December 5, 1999 addressed to Collectors has confirmed that the comunidades are the owners of the land.
“Therefore, the Government of Goa has no right to conduct any amendments nor implement the Land Revenue (conversion of use of land & non-agricultural assessment) Rules, 1969, to convert any land in Moira without the written permission of the comunidade of Moira,” Da Gama said.
