Captain Viriato Fernandes gave this assurance to the farmers today upon being presented with a memorandum appealing to him to protect their fields and livelihoods.
The South MP came down heavily on Margao MLA Digamber Kamat, charging him with involvement in dubious land acquisitions where poor people’s land is acquired for one purpose and eventually sold to real estate developers. He pointed out the Dabolim airport land issue. “When the central and state governments leave no opportunity to boast about their Atmanirbhar and Swayampurn schemes, it definitely becomes the prime responsibility of the government to support the farmers who have been cultivating their fields for several generations,” he said.
The Union Minister has stated that agricultural production would be increased; to achieve this, you have to increase cultivation land, not reduce it, he added.
Farmer Mr. Claudius Dias, who represented all the farmers, handed over the memorandum to Captain Viriato Fernandes and pleaded for their acquired fields to be returned to them. Mr. Dias provided details on how all the farmers cultivate various crops and deliver the produce to the horticulture department, thereby reducing dependence on out-of-state vegetables.
Margao Congress leader Mr. Savio Coutinho, who initiated the meeting, stated that land acquisitions during the early 2000s were scams of a unique kind. Initially, vast areas were notified for acquisition under Section 4 of the LA Act, and thereafter, crony builders linked to those in power in Margao would approach landowners on the periphery of the proposed acquisition and purchase the land at a cheap price (higher than what the government paid as compensation). Subsequently, these lands would be dropped from the acquisition process, Mr. Coutinho added, while giving examples of land near St. Sebastian Cemetery and the Powerhouse/Davorlim junction, where huge complexes have come up. Mr. Coutinho also pointed to the master plan being prepared by GSUDA, which shows a total transformation of this area with different types of structures, which is much different from the purpose for which the land was acquired.
“When the purpose for which the land was acquired is not being fulfilled, it ought to be returned to the original owners,” Mr. Coutinho stated.
