Task cut out for talathis to curb illegal constructions across Goa

MARGAO
The all-powerful “Talathi” – the crucial administrative figure, acting as a link, between the grassroot village and municipal to the State administration, has a task cut out to curb illegal constructions across the State.

In fact, implementation of the host of directions issued by the High Court in the suo moto PIL revolves around the village talathis with the High Court mandating these village-level revenue officers to play specific roles in curbing illegal constructions, be it in paddy fields, on government properties and to stop illegal constructions on tenanted lands.

Take a case of the illegal construction in paddy fields. The High Court direction is very clear that the Talathi of every village is directed to conduct an inspection to find out if any illegal construction has taken place on paddy fields within their jurisdiction in violation of the Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Act, 2023. 

A report pertaining to the same is to be filed by the Talathi to the respective Block Development Officer (BDO) within a period of four weeks.

On the issue of illegal construction on government property, the High Court has again directed the village talathis to play a crucial role. A glance at the High Court order shows that the Talathi of every village has been directed to conduct inspection of illegal construction on government property within their jurisdictions.

A report pertaining to the same shall be filed by the Talathi to their respective Block Development Officer (BDO) in-charge within eight weeks. The respective BDO is then required to compile the reports and submit it to their respective Deputy Collector in charge within two weeks of the receipt of the reports from the Talathi. The Talathi report shall also contain the particulars of whether in the revenue records (Form I and XIV), the name of only the government features in the “Occupant’s Column”, or otherwise.

On illegal construction on tenanted lands, the respective Talathi of every village is mandated to conduct inspection and file a report of illegal constructions carried out on tenanted lands within their jurisdiction to the Mamlatdar within eight weeks. The Mamlatdar in turn is required to forward the report to the Deputy Collector. “Upon submission of the report, the Deputy Collector within whose jurisdiction the said illegal construction on tenanted lands is found shall ensure that the same is demolished by following due process of issuing show cause notice and by giving the violator an opportunity of being heard. The Deputy Collector shall initiate action against the violators and take it to its logical conclusion within 12 months from the receipt of report from the Mamlatdar,” the high Court order stated.

Talathis are duty bound to report violations, says South Collector

MARGAO: South Goa District Collector, Egna Cleeduts has said the talathis of the concerned areas are duty bound to report violations for taking immediate action.

In a memorandum, the district Collector further stated that the Mamlatdars are duty bound to file checklist and Dy. Collectors are duty bound to initiate action under Land Revenue Code. If the concerned Talathis fail to report such matters in time to the Mamlatdars, the same will be viewed seriously.

“The Government has issued various Circulars with respect to strict implementation of provisions of Land Revenue Code, Code of Comunidade and Goa Land Use (Prohibition on Construction) Act, 1995 from time to time. It has now been noticed that there are various instances of illegal filling on the roadside areas along National Highways/ State Highways & illegal mushrooming of various constructions in areas of road widening”, the memorandum said.

The memorandum added: “The Government has empowered concerned Deputy Collectors/Mamlatdars/Flying Squad/local authorities to take immediate action against any illegal filling and construction, under Section 6 of Goa Land (Prohibition on Construction) Act, 1995, Section 33 of LRC and Section 17 of TCP Act”.