Manipulated land maps from 1970s used for illegal constructions, say opposition members

Chief Minister orders full inquiry into alleged Rs 600 cr BhuNaksha scam

Special Correspondent

Panaji : The assembly on Friday witnessed sharp exchanges over alleged illegal structure insertions in survey maps, as Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao alleged a Rs 600 crore “BhuNaksha scam” involving manipulations in the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records’ maps dating back to the 1970s.

Alemao alleged that Goa’s digital land mapping system had been tampered with to facilitate illegal construction permissions and demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.

Citing one case, he said a developer from Jalandhar, Punjab misrepresented land details and obtained permission through manipulated BhuNaksha data. “This is not just a discrepancy but a calculated criminal offence involving officials and developers,” he said. Revenue Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate admitted discrepancies had been found in the BhuNaksha plan adopted in 2019.

“Yes, certain structures were altered,” he said, adding that the changes had been reverted.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government had ordered a full inquiry. “We will take appropriate and strict action against those involved, and no one would be spared,” he said.

Alemao warned that the scale of the alleged scam suggested deep-rooted corruption and called for immediate suspension of officials found involved.

Congress MLAs Altone D’Costa, Carlos Ferreira, and Alemao sought details of complaints received by the department, including one forwarded by the vigilance department. They demanded copies of inquiry reports, names of those linked to allegedly inserted structures, and the current status of the complaint.

Sawant said Avinash Tavares had filed a vigilance complaint but later withdrew it.