TNN | Feb 17, 2013, 02.14 AM IST
PANAJI: Deputy chief minister Francis D'Souza, who also holds the revenue portfolio, confirmed that a decision for constituting a comunidade commission has been taken.
The commission will look into various aspects of the comunidades.
"The commission will study various aspects of communidades and submit a report within a certain time framework," he said. Some communidade bodies had gone to the high court demanding that a commission exclusively for comunidades be constituted.
The petition was disposed off after government decided to constitute a commission and accordingly informed the high court. One of the important demands by the comunidade bodies was that comunidade code must be translated in English. The deputy chief minister said it has already been translated and also been notified. A senior high court lawyer M S Usgaonkar has translated the comunidade code.
D'Souza said issues of comunidades, which have remained unaddressed for too long need to be addressed, and he has had consultation with them. The name of Francis Braganza, an advocate, has been finalized for the post of commissioner. The commission will have two-three members in addition to two advisors on the board.
The commission would handle an assortment of issues plaguing comunidades.
Most important being encroachment on comunidade lands, acquisitions by government, matters relating to its properties at prime locations. Some comunidade buildings are located at prime places in Panaji, Margao and Mapusa.
Yet, comunidade administration has not been able to sustain itself and have to rely on government for funding.
There are also disputes among comunidades that need to be resolved. The commission would be a forum that will address those issues.
Another contentious issue is about procedures relating to appointment of staff and their salary structure.
"There are constant complaints from comunidade staff about salaries not being paid on time," said an officer in the deputy chief minister's office.
Also, election in communidades have also been a source of controversy with allegation of irregularities in elections.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Govt-to-form-comunidade-commission/articleshow/18536456.cms
