MARGAO: Managing committees of various comunidades of South Goa, during its special meeting held in Margao, on Thursday, collectively decided to strongly oppose the Goa government’s move to regularise illegal structures on comunidade land.
“We will not hesitate even to approach the court of law. The government cannot take the decision without taking the stakeholder, that is, the comunidades into confidence,” said Savio Correa.
Joao Pereira, convenor of South Goa Comunidade Forum, speaking to this daily, said that according to RTI information obtained in 2008, with the cut-off date 2002, there were 7000 illegal structures on various comunidade lands of South Goa.
“Today, the number is nearing 33,000, and we just cannot allow it to happen. The government cannot ignore the comunidades’ managing committees,” Pereira said.
A lengthy decision was held on the issue during the special meeting. Several members suggested that they should not take any decision in haste and instead wait and see how the government acts on the issue in the forthcoming assembly session.
An activist Kashinath Shetye has already challenged the decision citing the SC judgment that such encroachments should be demolished.
The members felt that they should contact advocate Ryan Menezes, who is the amicus curia in the case. Goa Panchayati Raj Institution convenor J Santano Rodrigues has also filed objection over the move of the government.
He has urged the Governor not to give consent to the ordinance.