Goa's 'Enough is Enough' Movement Intensifies Campaign for Agricultural Land Protection
The 'Enough is Enough' movement in Goa has significantly escalated its efforts to protect the state's agricultural land by submitting a comprehensive draft Agricultural Land Protection Bill to all major political parties. The movement is urging that this critical legislation be introduced during the upcoming Budget assembly session, marking a pivotal step in their campaign to preserve Goa's farming heritage.
Draft Bill Crafted by Legal Expert and Submitted to Political Leaders
The draft legislation was meticulously prepared by retired Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Ferdino Rebello, ensuring a robust legal framework. Letters containing the draft Bill have been formally submitted to legislature party leaders and presidents of six political parties, along with three independent MLAs, to garner broad-based support for the initiative.
The outreach campaign commenced on Saturday with submissions made at key political offices. At the BJP office, the draft was addressed to Damu Naik, who was unavailable at the time. Similarly, submissions were made to Congress president Amit Patkar and AAP president Valmiki Naik, highlighting the movement's non-partisan approach to securing legislative action.
Key Provisions of the Draft Agricultural Land Protection Bill
The Bill proposes stringent measures to regulate land use and construction activities in Goa. It calls for strict curbs on all land use and construction outside the 526.3 square kilometer settlement zone that was notified under Regional Plan 21. This includes a complete halt to the issuance of construction permissions beyond these designated limits, aiming to prevent urban sprawl into agricultural areas.
Additionally, the draft legislation seeks to nullify permissions granted for cutting hills and slopes that allegedly violated the 2010 guidelines issued by the chief town planner. It also questions the legality of the 2023 guidelines issued by the Town and Country Planning Board, advocating for a review to ensure compliance with environmental and land protection standards.
Proposed Amendments to Existing Laws and Regulations
The Bill outlines several amendments to key legislative acts to strengthen agricultural land protection. It proposes amendments to Section 17(A) of the relevant laws to permit hill cutting only up to a 25% gradient and solely in the public interest, requiring written justification for any such activities.
Furthermore, the draft calls for a reconsideration of permissions granted under Sections 17(2) and 39(A) of the TCP Act, citing violations of the Goa Land Use (Regulations) Act, 1991, and provisions of the Code of Comunidades. The legislation also aims to repeal and amend certain sections of the TCP Act, the Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Act, 2023, and the Land Revenue Code.
A significant proposal in the Bill is the introduction of a new Section 22(A), which would restrict the transfer of agricultural land for non-agricultural uses, thereby ensuring that farmland remains dedicated to agricultural purposes and is protected from commercial exploitation.
Movement's Broader Goals and Future Steps
The 'Enough is Enough' movement's submission of this draft Bill represents a critical effort to address long-standing concerns over land degradation and unauthorized construction in Goa. By engaging with political parties across the spectrum, the movement hopes to foster bipartisan support for the legislation, emphasizing the urgency of protecting agricultural land for future generations.
As the Budget assembly session approaches, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the response from political leaders and the potential introduction of the Bill. The movement's proactive stance underscores a growing public demand for sustainable land management practices and legal reforms to safeguard Goa's environmental and agricultural integrity.
