PANAJI
Amidst ongoing criticism over regularization of illegal structures on the Comunidade land, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has categorically stated that the “consent” of these age-old institutions would be mandatory. He also said that the government is studying the “legality” as far as categorizing Goans is concerned.
Sawant had initially mooted this proposal way back in 2021 however it did not materialize as the Comunidade bodies raised alarm over the government interference in their functioning.
“We don’t want to interfere in the functioning of the Comunidade. Nothing will be done without their consent. Their consent would be mandatory. What the government is trying to do is just protect the houses of our Goan brothers and sisters,” he said adding ‘at present, close to 1,000 houses will have to be demolished in Canacona, Saligao, Pernem, Mapusa alone’.
Sawant said that all the comunidades will be taken into confidence before regularizing the houses and a proper procedure would be followed.
The Chief Minister said that his legal team led by Advocate General is working on ‘how government can move ahead in giving protection to only our people. That legality is been studied’.
He said that around 70-80% of these illegal houses belong to Goans and were constructed way back in the 1970s or 1980s with generations residing in it.
According to the experts, the law, differentiating between Goans and non-Goans may not stand the test of Constitutional validity.
Sawant has already announced to bring in necessary regulation or amendments to the Comunidade code in the upcoming winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, which might take place somewhere in January, next year, just before the Lok Sabha polls.
The issue of legalising residential structures in comunidade land has been hanging fire for over two decades and multiple attempts by past governments have either failed or were aborted.
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