Ban soon on sale of agricultural land to foreigners

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-01-30
PANAJI- The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Thursday said that a bill is being drafted for banning sale of Goan agricultural land to foreigners, and efforts are on to present the same in the House during the forthcoming assembly session scheduled to commence from February 2. The legislation will be enacted on the lines of those existing in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Interacting with the media at his residence on Thursday evening, the Chief Minister said the government has procured all such legislations from the states presently having similar laws.
“We have already submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh as regards providing special status to Goa, but by the time it materialises, a legislation regarding ban on sale of agricultural land to foreigners is desirable,” he added.
Speaking further, the Chief Minister said the police bill is presently before the select committee of the House. “Meanwhile, the Business Advisory Committee of the House is meeting on January 30 to chalk out the details of the forthcoming assembly session,” he added.
Replying to a question, Mr Kamat said that although the government has awarded the Sonsodo landfill project to Goa Foundation, as approved by the state cabinet, the Margao municipal council would oversee the work of the project including procurement of equipment.
“The government has awarded the work to the Goa Foundation, and the first phase of the same has already started, while the second phase, which includes preparation of a landfill site and procurement of equipment, would need Goa Foundation to get at least three quotations for purchasing the equipments,” the Chief Minister informed, reiterating that the MMC has been asked to oversee the same.
Stating that the fire, which has spread at the Sonsodo site was planned by someone, Mr Kamat said that the public works department has been engaged to extinguish it.
Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said the government supports the view of the Centre that the promoters of the three special economic zones planned in Goa should be given adequate compensation, as the state government has decided to scrap the SEZs from Goa.
As regards clearing of a file appointing the Social Welfare Minister, Mr Ramakrishna Dhavalikar as the chairman of the state ST Corporation, by Mr Dhavalikar himself, Mr Kamat said that he has not seen the particular file.
“I will speak to the Minister for Social Welfare on the issue, when he returns from New Delhi,” he stated.
The Chief Minister also said that any grievance concerning the workers under industrial dispute should be taken before the state labour commissioner. “Such problems should not be brought before me, just because I am accessible,” he said, adding that the administration should function in a disciplined way.