Panaji: Digitisation of land records is critical to prevent instances of land grabbing, said Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar.
“Two years ago, I had demanded that records be digitised. It is important, as it will help stop incidents of land grabbing,” said Salkar during a discussion on demands on Thursday. He also said the process must be expedited and funding increased.
Raising concerns over cultural heritage, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said Goa’s rich history is under threat due to neglect. “Goa is more than a tourist paradise. It is a land steeped in 1,000 years of history, from the Kadamba dynasty to the Portuguese era. Yet, our cultural heritage is under threat due to neglect. We have not spent enough money to protect it. There are many reports highlighting the deteriorating condition of iconic sites,”
said Viegas.
He urged the formation of a dedicated heritage task force to conduct annual audits of monuments and ensure timely maintenance. “In this heritage task force, engage local historians and youth,” he added.
Viegas also raised the issue of the state archives and the slow progress on digitisation. “It’s been three years and there is still talk about digitisation. But the minister has already identified the loopholes. The 2023 audit revealed that many documents lack proper preservation. Digital backups are virtually non-existent,” he said.
Stating that several monuments have been restored, including the centuries-old Saptakoteshwar temple at Narve in Bicholim, Mayem MLA Premendra Shet highlighted the need for more government efforts to protect historical structures.
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar said the Alorna Fort in Pernem has the potential to become a major tourist attraction and urged the government to beautify the area.
“There is a need for a specialised course in restoration science to develop skilled professionals for conservation work,” said Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye.
