Gaunkars of Serula hold a meeting in the ruins of the Serula Chavddi in 2005

Government assures to save comunidade lands

Government assures to save comunidade lands TNN | Oct 9, 2012, 02.09AM IST MAPUSA: There will be absolutely no concession for any kind of encroachment and illegal constructions upon comunidade land, revenue minister Francis D'Souza said on Monday. The minister directed officials to investigate all such complaints and take stern action against them. "I have received complaints of encroachments on comunidade land and have directed collectors and deputy collectors to initiate action against them. I am one of the very few ministers who started demolishing encroachments at Moti Dongor," D'Souza said, adding, "I don't hesitate in stopping new encroachments, I have no political considerations and will not allow concessions for illegal encroachments." He further blamed the governing bodies for not initiating action. D'Souza said that in case of revenue lands of the government, collectors and deputy collectors are supposed to act, but when it comes to comunidade lands, the comunidades are supposed to act. With regard to panchayat and municipal council land, local self-governing bodies are supposed to act, he said. "In a number of cases, the governing bodies don't take action. That is the problem," D'Souza added. The state has 225 comunidade bodies, which were in existence since time immemorial and the land belongs to the respective communities to be shared commonly. In all, the number of illegal constructions on comunidade land is 2,515, including 2,127 in North Goa and 418 in South Goa, sources said. The highest number of encroachments is in Sirsaim, Assonora and Tivim comunidades. Recently, the government had decided to regularize illegal structures with a cut-off period up to June, 2000. "In the assembly, we agreed that we may consider structures prior to the year 2000," D'Souza said. Readers are invited to send in details of any known comunidade land encroachments to toi.goa@timesgroup.com http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Government-assures-to-save-comunidade-lands/articleshow/16731582.cms