Sattari locals divided over bhumi bill

Valpoi: There is confusion in

Sattari

over the Goa

Bhumiputra

Adhikarini Bill. While one group of social activists supports the

bill

, another group has been aggressively protesting it, holding public awareness meetings in different villages.

Interestingly, in the past, both groups used to protests unitedly demanding land rights for the people of Sattari.

The bill witnessed early opposition in Sattari taluka. However, after studying it, some stakeholders concluded that the bill would benefit Sattari taluka. It gathered tremendous support at a public awareness meeting held recently at Kanekar hall in Valpoi.

Speaking at the meeting, social activist Ganpat Gaonkar said that most of houses in the panchayat and municipal areas are considered illegal as they have been built either on government or Alvara land. “Though authorities are regularising the houses, owners must sign an affidavit stating that they will demolish the house if any illegalities are found. Except for a few, most of our dwellings are illegal and can be demolished if any complaint arises,” Gaonkar said .

Goankar said the bill provides a mechanism to give ownership right to self-occupied dwellers of small units, thus enabling them to live with dignity. “This bill is perfect for Sattari and we will support the decision of the government. There may be some amendment needed. Those opposing the bill should give suggestions instead of merely opposing it,” Gaonkar said.

Another local, Ranjit Rane, said that a few people with vested political interest have been opposing the bill without a valid reason. “We are thankful to chief minister Pramod Sawant for bringing the bill, which will be a remarkable beginning for obtaining our land ownership rights,” Rane said.

Meanwhile, Vishwesh Prabhu, who is against the bill, said that experts as well as the state’s renowned lawyers had strongly opposed the bill and pointed out to its illegality. “This bill is an injustice to the poor villagers of Sattari taluka as well as the state. People need to know that in the bill, ownership is restricted to houses and hence, people’s land, if in question, will be taken away by the government,” Prabhu said.

“We are conducting meetings in every villages of Sattari to convey the disadvantages of the bill,” he said and demanded that the government give land ownership rights to bhumiputras.

Stating that people are being misguided about the bill, one local, Dasharat Mandrekar, said that this bill is not for the betterment of the villagers. He said that officials need to clarify how this bill is good for people of Sattari and the state.

Vishant Kasar, who demanded that the bill be scrapped, called for people to unitedly it.