There were very few or no reference books on land laws of Goa for students of law, and even advocates, to follow. Thankfully, this gap would be filled soon, with a newly published book ‘Land Laws of Goa’ by Prasanna Timble, Assistant Professor (Law) at G R Kare College of Law in Margao.
“This book incorporates all the latest amendments and case laws. Although it flows in the form of sections, it is written as a narrative, with an intention to benefit the students of land laws, journalists and budding advocates,” states the author. An added feature of this book is the insight it provides by including additional materials on land laws through a commentary on Goa legislative assembly debates by Prabhakar Timble and the foreword by Adv Cleofato Almeida Coutinho.
It took Timble two-and-a-half years to compile the matter for this 420 page book that will be available in stores this week. The inspiration came when looking for research material and not finding much. “When I took up teaching the subject of ‘land laws’, I started compiling materials and case law relating to the Acts, because there was no comprehensive book on land laws for students to refer to. I consulted Adv Cleofato Coutinho and Adv Joe Antao whenever I was stuck. This exercise took the shape of the book eventually,” says Prasanna.
While compiling the book, she learned a lot about book design, book editing and other processes required for publishing. “My father and I thought of publishing the book ourselves instead of searching for a publisher,” shares Prasanna, who started a publishing house called Livro Pub. “My mother, who is learning Portuguese through some app suggested the name ‘Livro Publishing’. Livro means ‘book’ in Portuguese. Thus we came up with Livro Pub,” states Prasanna who admits being lucky to have supportive parents who stood by her when she decided to leave her pharmacy course halfway and take a break. She recalls, “After my 12th in science, I took admission in pharmacy. After about three months, I realised I didn’t like the course at all. I felt out of place and completely lost. Thankfully, my parents were very supportive of me when I decided to leave the course midway to take a break. I stayed home for about a year with no plans or agenda and finally made up my mind and decided to study law.”
Prasanna completed her legal education from V M Salgaocar College of Law in Panaji. She then practised law for two years before working as a legal officer in a corporate house. “When I joined as an assistant professor (Law) at G R Kare College of Law, I realised my affinity for academics and research,” says Prasanna who is currently pursuing PhD from Goa University.
Going a step further, Prasanna thought of introducing an innovative method of learning law for laymen. And her endeavour to reach law to laymen is getting popular “ this teacher of law runs a website www.lawtutor.in and a YouTube channel called ‘Law Tutor’ that aims at easing the subject for public.
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Land Laws of Goa is a commentary on the laws that constitute agrarian reforms and land reforms in the state, namely, the Goa Daman & Diu Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964, the Goa Daman & Diu (Protection from Eviction) Act, 1975 and the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968.
The book also covers the Goa Buildings (Lease, Rent & Eviction) Control Act, 1968 and the Goa, Daman and Diu Mamlatdar’s Court Act, 1966.
