Goa govt approves amendment to protect community land from misuse

Panaji (Goa) [India], September 30 : The Goa Cabinet-led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has approved an amendment to the Goa Legislative Diploma No. 2070, dated April 15, 1961, aimed at curbing the misuse of Comunidade land granted for specific purposes.
According to a release, to address this issue, a new Article 31-A is being introduced through the proposed amendment.
"This provision will empower the Administrator of Comunidades to investigate cases where land granted for a specific use has been used for other purposes than originally granted after the passing of this amendment. Upon detecting unauthorized use, the administrator will issue a show cause notice to the grantee or individual in possession of the land, allowing them to explain their position. Based on the findings of the inquiry, and after considering all submissions, the administrator will have the authority to order the reversion of the land back to the Comunidade with the approval of the government," the release said.
The release further mentioned that to prevent further misuse during the inquiry process, the Administrator of Comunidade will have the authority to issue an order restraining the use of the land for any purpose other than the one it was granted for.
"Additionally, once such a restraining order is passed, no authority, including the Town and Country Planning Department, Planning and Development Authority, Municipal Council, Village Panchayat, or City of Panaji Corporation, will be permitted to issue any permissions, clearances, approvals, or No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the land in question," the release added.
The proposed amendment underscores the Government's commitment to preserving Comunidade land and ensuring that its use aligns with the purposes for which it was originally granted.