Despite objections from revenue, finance depts, Goa govt went ahead with land ownership bill: RTI
Panaji, (PTI): The Goa revenue and finance departments had red flagged the controversial bill pertaining to 'sons-of-the-soil' and said it was "not administratively approved" and may have "unforeseen wider ramification", before it was passed by the state Assembly last month, the government's response to an RTI query has revealed.
The state Assembly last month passed the Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021, that provides a mechanism to grant the ownership rights to 'bhumiputras' (sons-of-the soil) who are living in small housing units in the state for more than 30 years.
The legislation in its present form drew flak from various quarters, including opposition parties, following which Sawant had said it would be renamed as the 'Bhumi Adhikarini Bill' and reintroduced during the next Assembly session.
The CM had also said the bill was beneficial to Goans and rubbished suggestions by the opposition parties that it was aimed at pleasing the migrant vote bank.
However, documents procured under the Right to Information Act by Goa Congress' RTI cell in-charge Dominic Noronha from the state revenue department last week revealed that Revenue Minister Jeniffer Monserratte and Revenue Secretary Sanjay Kumar had put up a file noting that the bill has "not been administratively approved".
"The Bill has not been administratively approved by the Revenue Minister (Jeniffer Monserratte). The Bill has not been examined throughout and may have unforeseen wider ramification," Kumar said, as per the reply received by the opposition Congress.
The revenue secretary had requested that due to shortage of time, the Bill has not been examined thoroughly and may have unforeseen wider ramification. Hence, considering the impact of the Bill, the same may be published for obtaining public comments, the revenue secretary said in the noting.
The issue raised by the Revenue Department and the Revenue Minister needs further examination, Kumar noted, and added that the file is submitted for the perusal and decision of the revenue minister.
The Congress claimed to have also received in the same RTI reply a noting which indicated the minister had warned that the proposed law was faulty on many counts and would "jeoparadise the interests of private owners, government departments, comunidades, devasthans (temples) and eco-sensitive zones".
The revenue department had also warned the state government that the bill's provisions enabled forceful transfer of land, which would violate Article 300A of the Constitution, as per the document received through RTI by the Congress.
In an official note, Monserratte had said there are "many other implications of the Bill which needs to be examined" by having a detailed discussion on each provision.
After examining the above points, the same may be introduced in the next Assembly session, the minister had said, as per the RTI reply.
The Congress further said the state finance department's Under Secretary Pranab Bhat had also noted that the proposal is not recommended in the form that it is in right now, and requires more detailing as land is a precious resource. Further, the introduction of the Bill is not recommended.
CM Sawant or state BJP chief Sadanand Tanavade could not be contacted for comments on the matter.
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
