MAPUSA
Stating that the selling of land leased out to Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd (ZACL) is one of the biggest land scams in Goa, Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo said that Congress will raise the issue in the upcoming Assembly session.
“Around 50 lakh sq mt of comunidade land was leased out to ZACL at around one rupee per square metre. The ZACL wants to sell the land. There should be an investigation into this. If any industry is coming up on the land then let it come but let the local comunidade give NOC to them. These people (ZACL) cannot sell or transfer ownership to somebody else,” Lobo said.
He said since the land belonged to the comunidade it belonged to the people of Goa and the government also has control over it.
“Such a big parcel of land cannot be given just like that. If it was given for industry to one company then let them set it up, but they cannot sell it to a third party. There is no provision in the comunidade code where land given on lease can be sold out,” Lobo said.
“If there is a land scam in Goa then this is it. This is one of the biggest land scams,” he added.
He said Congress will take up the matter in the assembly and the government will have to answer on it.
Last month, Goa Forward Party chief Vijay Sardesai alleged a scam of around Rs 50,000 crore in the slum sale of ZACL and accused the State government of looking the other way.
