NT Reporter
Panaji
Former Chief Justice of
Allahbad High Court Justice Ferdino Rebello, leading
the ‘Enough is Enough’ movement, has written to the Chief Minister seeking reconvening of the Assembly to discuss a proposed land bill following the cancellation of the Ponda by-election.
He warned that if the Assembly is not reconvened, people will mobilise to raise the issue.
Referring to the High Court decision that led to the cancellation of the bypoll, Rebello said the development removes the earlier reason of the model code of conduct cited for adjourning the Assembly sine die that cut short the 14-day budget session last month.
He said the Election Commission of India accepted the situation without challenge, which has created an opportunity to address pending land legislation.
He outlined three demands under the proposed legislation.
Rebello said Section 39A of the Land Revenue Code, 1967 should be repealed, stating it has been misused for land conversion; amendments to Section 17A should restrict construction on hill slopes to public interest projects, limited to gradients up to 25 degrees with justification; agricultural land should be sold only to residents who have lived in Goa for at least 30 years and only for agricultural purposes. He said such land should remain with residents of the state.
He said existing provisions under the Tenancy Act and the Land Revenue Code protect agricultural land from conversion and said the proposed changes should align with these protections. Similar safeguards exist in other states, said Rebello.
Rebello said that until the proposed bill is discussed and passed, applications under Section 39A should be stayed.
