Partial Freedom

Isidore Domnick Mendes
Fifty-three years after Liberation, a majority of Parcem’s 4,627 populations still do not think they are completely free from the chains of captivity. The reason being that 90% of the land is owned by four families-- Dessai, Padiyaar, Naik and Prabhu. Apart from these four families, almost everyone in the village is just a mundkar or kul (tenant).These villagers do not enjoy any ownership rights and as a result cannot undertake any legal renovation or lawful construction activity in the premises they reside in because obtaining a no objection certificate (NOC) from the bhatkar (landlord) is almost impossible.
“We were politically liberated in 1961 from 451 years of Portuguese rule but almost all of us Parcemkars, barring the 4 illustrious bhatkar families, are tied to fetters and bondages of landlords. Till date we do not have complete freedom as we cannot take decisions on the land we are individually living in or the road we drive on,” states Ganpat Kalangutkar of Madhla vaddo.
Bordered by Tuem, Korgao, Agarvaddo and Mandrem, Parcem nestled in Pernem taluka measures around 12 sq km. The pitfall of its land being in the hands of a selected few has rendered close to no renovation or construction work.
“Apart from individual work related to one’s own fome, almost all public projects, be it construction of a crematorium, building of public toilets, broadening of narrow roads, etc is virtually impossible in Parcem because these landlords do not let any development activity take place. It is an impossible task to obtain an NOC from each member of one landlord’s family,” says Mohan Bugde of Chawdwadda.
Concurs Shubhada C Polji, deputy sarpanch. “Umpteen works have suffered due to non-cooperation from the landlords. The dream of our village to have a modern playground also died when NOC could not be obtained from the land owners.”
Residents of Parcem are in concurrence that the state government has to act decisively to alter its imperfect land ownership.
“In order to nullify the repeated intransigence of landlords to issue NOC for any public work, the government must acquire the land. Similarly, the government should get a bill passed which ensures transferring the ownership of the land to all tenants still ploughing it. Though the sunset clause is being withdrawn from the Goa Agriculture Tenancy (Amendment) Act 2014 there is no doubt that the state government is trying its best to ensure that tenants become landlords,” says Deepak Kalangutkar, resident of Modlo vaddo and a former North Goa ZP member.
The panchayat too feels that the landlords have become a hurdle to development of the whole village. “No progress in Parcem can be expected unless the landlord reluctance to give an NOC is rescinded. It is a shame that even public amenities like washrooms or playground or small sports complex or community centre cannot be constructed because landlords want to maintain their hold on the village,” says newly-elected sarpanch Gopal Bhisaji.
Repeated attempts to get in touch with the chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who is also the local MLA, on the measures being considered by his government to permanently redress the grievances of tenants at Parcem proved ineffectual.
Problem Problem
Worn out pipelines: The pipelines for water supply are in a dilapidated state and at many places leakages occur.
Old power cables: The power lines are very old and have been waiting for a long time for change.
Unrepaired bundhs: The village has around 6 bundhs which have breached at many places as a corollary many fields do not get irrigated.
Trivia
Parcem is home to both, the majestic temple of Goddess Bhagwati and the grand banyan tree. It has given birth to some exceptional Goan luminaries including noted violinist in Hindustani music late Sridhar Parsekar. On January 26th and 27th each year, the villagers have kept his memory alive by orgainzing the annual Sangeeth Sammelan (festival of Indian classical music) at Bhagwati temple. Vocalist late Damu Parsekar, tabla players of yesteryears late Balchandra Parsekar and late Yeshwant Bugde all hail from this village. The village gave birth to many freedom fighters like Baundas Polji, Dattaram Bugde, etc.
It is believed that physician, Sanskrit researcher and antique collector late Bhau Daji Lad hails from Parcem.
Top View
No progress in Parcem can be expected unless the landlord reluctance to give an NOC is rescinded
Gopal Bhisaji, sarpanch
Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who is also the local MLA, was unavailable for comment
People’s Speak
The government should get a bill passed which ensures transferring the ownership of the land to all tenants still ploughing it
Deepak Kalangutkar, Modlo vaddo
It is an impossible task to obtain an NOC from each member of one landlord’s family
Mohan Bugde, Chawdwadda
Till date, we do not have freedom to take decisions on the land we individually live in or the road we drive on
Ganpat Kalangutkar, Madhla vaddo