MAPUSA
The recently passed Goa Legislative Diploma No. 2070 (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders of comunidades.
The bill empowers the comunidade administrator to reclaim land if it is used for purposes other than those initially approved by the government.
While some stakeholders welcomed the move, provided it is implemented in its true spirit, others opposed it, arguing that the government has no constitutional right to interfere with the comunidade code.
President of Assagao Comunidade, Ruildo D’Souza supported the bill, stating that it was necessary to curb the rampant misuse of comunidade land.
“It is a good bill passed by the government, provided it is implemented in its true spirit. There have been several cases where land was granted for one purpose but later used for another. Monitoring such instances has been challenging,” he said.
However, he also emphasised that the bill should not remain a mere policy on paper and must be effectively enforced.
On the other hand, Andre Pereira, an expert on the Code of Comunidade, strongly opposed the amendment, calling it unconstitutional.
“The land is not granted by the government but by the comunidades. The government has no jurisdiction in this matter. This bill is a mischief, and the government has no authority to bring such an amendment,” he said.
Pereira also pointed out that the Code of Comunidade already includes provisions to address land misuse, making the new bill redundant.
President of the Saligao Comunidade, Desmond D’Costa questioned the government’s intent behind the amendment.
He accused the government of interfering with comunidades without consulting them.
“When land is granted, for example, to Zuari Agro Chemicals, it is akin to a sale. If someone builds a house on comunidade land and, after 30 years, wants to construct a building in its place, why should we stop them?” he asked. D’Costa also highlighted that a significant portion of comunidade land has already been taken over by tenants for commercial activities, further complicating the issue.
“With this bill, the government is trying to hamstring the comunidades. There are a lot of unanswered questions,” he added.
Meanwhile, Melwyn Fernandes, President of Comunidade de Boa Esperança de Aldona, expressed cautious optimism about the amendment.
“On the surface, it appears to be a good bill as it could prevent individuals from purchasing land for housing and later converting it for commercial activities. However, the power to decide should have been given to the comunidades instead of a government-appointed administrator,” he stated.
The bill, which was passed during the recent two-day assembly session, grants the comunidade administrator the authority to reclaim land that has been used for purposes other than those originally approved.
As the debate over the amendment continues, it remains to be seen how the government will address concerns raised by the comunidades and ensure the effective implementation of the bill.
