By: Savio Rodrigues
9th of the series of investigation
As early as 2007, Goa government agrees to acquire land, notifies land for acquisition to be given to Airports Authority of India for Airport parking facility. But in 2011 the Government of Goa denotifies the land on objection from claimed owners of the land, it then identifies another 70,000 sqmts land for parking which turns out to be belonging to the Ministry of Defence.
In March 2011 land admeasuring 36,800 sqmts in Mormugao, Dabolim – Survey No 8/1 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.
It smacked of a scam from the very beginning. 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.’
In a report titled ‘Land Acquisition for Expansion of Dabolim Airport’ dated May 13, 2010 and signed by MK Vasta, SLAO Mopa Airport Cell; here are some interesting points that throw up a lot of questions—
On October 20, 2009 the Attorneys representing on behalf of the co-owners of Survey No 8/1 and 9/1 have filed their objections.
In respect to Survey No 8/1 and 9/1 of, which land is going to be acquired the Attorney who was present on behalf of the co-owners stated that his client had purchased the said land from the Communidade of Sancoale and after decades of litigation and necessary proceedings they have got the order to delete the name of the Communidade of Sancoale and include the name of actual and real owners.
Now they are developing their land residential and commercial purpose as well as vehicle parking. By issuing the said Notification the Government has hindered and deprived the owners of title.’
In a site inspection report dated January 15, 2010, MK Vasta states-
In Survey No 8/1 it is noticed that there exists 20 structures and their status whether legal or illegal is not known. The said structures are not figuring in other right column of Form 1 & XIV. The area is classified as class (b) uncultivable land. The total area to be acquired for the proposed project is 36,800 sqmts.
In Survey No 9/1 it is noticed that there exists three structures and their status whether legal or illegal is not known. The said structures are not figuring in guide column of Form 1 & XIV and the area is shown as Garden.
…to be continued
