By: Savio Rodrigues
12th of the series of investigation
In the first part of our expose titled ‘Dabolim Airport Land Acquisition Scam’ through our investigations we revealed the dubious circumstances around which land in the final stages of acquisition for the AAI Airport parking facility was de-notified; This report throws light on the role of the Chief Minister of Goa in this scam.
In order to throw light on the entire scam, we would like to take you through the pertinent documents and actions of the Government of Goa and the Chief Minister in first accepting to assist Airport Authority of India and subsequently de-notifying the acquisition of the land which was owned by private parties.
In March 2011 land admeasuring 36,800 sqmts in Mormugao, Dabolim – Survey No 8/1 and another which was to be acquired by the Government of Goa to be given to the Airports Authority of India was de-notified through a Cabinet decision and subsequently another 70,000 sqmts of land as per Outline Development Plan (ODP-2011) for Vasco da Gama by the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority which was set aside for parking was proposed by the Government as suitable replacement option. However, the alternate land suggested by the Government of Goa belongs to the Ministry of Defence, as per records on Form I and IV of the Goa Daman and Diu Land Revenue Code 1968.
Moving Ahead on Acquisition in 2009
In a notification dated July 23, 2007 signed by the Under Secretary for the Governor of Goa it clearly states ‘The land mentioned in Schedule hereto (referring to Survey No 8/1 and Survey No 9/1 is likely to be needed for public purpose, viz. Land Acquisition for expansion of the Dabolim Airport (for parking)’. It further states that ‘All person interested in the said land are hereby warned not to obstruct or interfere with any surveyor or persons employed upon the said land for the purpose of the said acquisition. Any contract for the disposal of the said land by sale, lease, mortgage, assignment, exchange or otherwise or any outlay commenced on improvements without the sanction of the Collector appointed will be disregarded.’
Still Moving Ahead on Acquisition in 2010
Subsequently an order signed by Under Secretary Pandharinath N Naik (By Order and in the name of the Governor of Goa) dated 07/07/2010 reads as follows:
‘Whereas, the Government of Goa, vide Notification No 23/15/2009-RD dated 23/07/2009, issued under sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and published in the Official Gazette, Series II, No 19, dated 06/08/2009, notified that the land specified in the Schedule thereof (referring to Survey No 8/1 and Survey No 9/1) is likely to be needed for public purpose viz. Land Acquisition for Expansion of Dabolim Airport (for parking).
And whereas, the Government of Goa considered the report made by the Collector under sub-section (2) of Section 5 A of the Land
Acquisition Act and on being satisfied that the said land is needed for the said Public purpose, which Notification No: 23/15/2009 – RD dated 02/06/2010 issued under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, and published in the Official Gazette, Series II, No.11 dated 10/06/2010 declared that the said land is required for the said Public purpose.
Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 7 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894, the Government of Goa hereby directs the Collector, South Goa District, Margao-Goa to take the order for acquisition of the said land.
…to be continued
