NT Reporter
Margao
The Alvara land issue in Goa remains unresolved, with the state government still examining the report submitted by the N D Agarwal committee.
The government set up the committee in 2018 under former South Goa Collector N D Agarwal to investigate the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audit on Alvara land management.
“The report is under examination of the government,” said Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate in a written reply to Fatorda legislator Vijai Sardesai during the recent assembly session.
Sardesai had sought details on whether any Alvara lands were sold, leased or transferred in contravention of prevailing regulations.
The minister repeated the same reply when Sardesai sought taluka-wise details of total land under
Alvara decree.
The government did not directly respond to his questions on the land presently in government possession, or the areas controlled by private entities
and leaseholders.
Alvara lands were provisionally granted to Goan families by the Portuguese administration in 1917, mostly for agriculture, with specific conditions on usage and occupation.
As per the 2015 CAG report, a total of 16,616.83 hectares was granted under 7,871 Alvaras. Under Section 20 of the Land Revenue Code, these holdings are classified as Class I (occupants) and Class II (government lessees).
The CAG had criticised the government for inadequate inquiry into irregular land sales, and cited cases of illegal transfer of 88.12 hectares despite restrictions.
Asked if the government has a timeline to resolve the Alvara issue, including regularisation and updating of records, the revenue minister said, “Pursuant to the amended provisions of Section 37A of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, the deadline for submitting applications to the collector was May 9, 2020 (the extended date). Applications received post-deadline have been referred to the government for condonation of the delay. All efforts are being made to expeditiously process these applications.”
