Village of Batim, Goa Velha by its very name designates that it is a village of “Bat” paddy and in fact it is totally agricultural land which is cultivated for sorod and vaingon Crops. The vaingon crop is totally dependent on the water stored in Batim lake. It is lately made known that the government of Goa had planned to renovate and beautify the said Batim Lake at the estimated cost of Rs 3,80,18,167. The said lake property was used for triple purpose, to grow paddy rice, fish culture and provide water for Vaingon cultivation for vast paddy area at Maina, Moula and Batim.
It is understood that the proposal of beautification of Batim lake was not discussed in the Panchayat Gram Sabha as well as Batim Communidade Tenants Association was not consulted as after V amendment, the agricultural tenants have become deemed owners of their tenanted land so also Communidade of Batim which was the original owner had not consented to the same.
What will be the benefit for the tenants of the paddy fields where Batim lake is situated? Will they be permitted, as usual to cultivate their paddy fields during Sorod Season? Has the government and other deciding agents applied its mind to these issues? Will the newly elected local MLA of St Andre Constituency look into the matter and make efforts to protect the interest of the farmers and preserve the pristine use of the Batim lake for agricultural purposes and not for the commercial/tourist attraction as he made it clear after his election that he shall protect and promote farming in his constituency?
