In a year, law for farmers to get land they’re cultivating: Goa CM

PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday that within a year, laws would be amended or legislated so that farmers, who are cultivating land that belongs to their bhatkar (landlord), get the same in their own name.
Sawant said that the state government has already framed the rules, but due to Covid, it wasn’t able to implement them. “We are concerned about the farmers of the state and the people of Goa,” he said.
“We are of the opinion that farmers’ names should be included in agriculture land, and for that, our government will do whatever changes need to be done within a year, and will bring in amendments to laws.”
The chief minister said that some farmers’ names have not even been included in the tenant column, and for that, necessary changes will be made. “We will bring in a law so that farmers who are cultivating fields (and not landfilling in agricultural land to construct buildings), their names will be added to that agricultural land,” he said.
He added that the government is aware that there are a lot of farmers in Goa who have not been able to include their names on agricultural land which belongs to their landlord.
Speaking at the Garib Kalyan Sammelan at Panaji, Sawant said that every household in Goa has water, electricity and toilets.
A farmer from Chorao said that he has been in possession of agricultural land for almost 75 years, and he is not aware of the owner of the land. “I have been visiting the mamlatdar’s office to put my name on that agricultural land, but have not been able to do so. I request you to speed up the process,” a farmer told Sawant.
Meanwhile, Sawant said that the state has written to the Union government to conduct a census in the state. He said that the last census was held in Goa in 2011. He was reacting to a woman who informed him that she was trying since 2019 to register her name as an economic weaker class.
Sawant said that the people of the state should stand with PM Narendra Modi to strengthen his hand. Sawant said that 6 lakh ration card holders are getting free ration.
The chief minister also urged people to apply for the kisan card and krishi card so that they can avail benefits of 0% interest loans.