MARGAO
In a major development that has raised many an eyebrow in administration circles, South Goa district Collector, Egna Cleetus has given 24-hour deadline to the taluka Mamlatdars to record the title of the government on Alvara land in the Record of Rights Column meant for name of occupants.
While the Collector has issued the memorandum to Mamlatdars on Friday with a deadline to file a compliance report on February 1, questions are being raised in official circles whether the name of the government can be recorded in the occupants column without complying with the principle of natural justice by giving notices whose names figure in the occupant column in the Alvara land.
The Collector has issued the memorandum apparently based on a CAG Audit report for year ending March 31, 2015 in a bid to comply to the Audit para of CAG pertaining to Alvara land.
In fact, the Collector has drawn attention of all Mamlatdars of South Goa towards the paragraphs in the CAG report. One Paragraph No. 2.2.6.3, which states that “in 104 out of 300 Record of Rights (RORs) of lease lands, the name of private persons was incorrectly shown instead of Government of Goa”.
Two, Paragraph No.2.2.6.5(i), which states that “Audit noticed that Government did not update RORs of 15 reverted lands involving 125.20 hectares”. “Whereas, the audit has recommended that “the Government may instruct the Department to ensure that the title of the Government, on the Alvara land is recorded uniformly on the RORs in the column meant for name of occupant and the name of the leaseholder may be shown in the ‘Other rights’ column and a uniform format may be followed for the whole State”, the Collector’s memorandum stated.
The memorandum added: “In this regard, all the Mamlatdars are hereby directed to submit the action taken report by 01/02/2025 by 10 am. Non compliance of the above will be viewed seriously by the Authority”.
The list of all 104 Survey numbers referred above are also enclosed herewith at Annexure-A and list of 15 reverted lands are enclosed at Annexure-B.
When The Goan contacted a couple of taluka mamlatdars from South Goa to shed light on the matter, they confirmed having received the memorandum from the district Collector. They, however, have been trying to figure out whether including the government’s name on the Records of Rights column without issuing notices to the leaseholder may amount to violation of the principles of natural justice.
