THE GREAT GOAN LAND GRAB AsHerald Insight Team
A s one of India’s fastest growing states, with an international brand image and the closest thing to an Indian equivalent of a Riviera --- this “ sunshine” state has a dark shadow over its silver lining. Everybody wants a piece of it! And those with the political clout, economic muscle, and governmental backing at the state and central level have been generously helping themselves to small and large slices of it, invoking urgency clauses of the Land Acquisition Act where needed to steadily dispossess farmers and citizens of their land and homesteads, even as local resentment escalates and festers. In addition to the 3372 acres of land that the Indian Navy and Army already possess between them, by virtue of the military take- over of Goa in 1961, the navy is making a pitch for a further 227 acres of scenic island locations. The sprawling land it holds has not stopped affiliated bodies from asking for more land to house retired service personnel etc. The Assistant Controller of Defence Accounts( Admn), Bangalore sought a further 3 acres for construction of a defence account department, but was told that no government land was available. ( see box 4) . Integrated headquarters at the Ministry of Defence ( Army), New Delhi made requests for a further 10 acres in any part of Goa, for “ the welfare of serving and retired army personnel hailing from the state of Goa” ( see box 4) . While many of these have either been rejected, or are under process, some senior govern ment officials are worried that Central agencies surreptitiously manage to somehow find “ sym pathetic” politicians or govern ment officials to systematically push their requests through, often involving the clout of central ministers. Former chief minister Digamber Kamat once stated he was under tremendous pressure to accede to dozens of central government requests for land in Goa, but had managed to withstand the pressure. One agency that has succeeded however is the Central Industrial Security Force, that managed to systematically shoehorn its way into a grant of 70 acres of land in Korgao, Pernem ( See box 1) . Seeking to deflect criticism from his government for agreeing to the CISF’s proposal in March 2012, Mr Parrikar suggested it would not be in good taste to upturn the decision on the land grant, after the CISF had made a token payment which he claimed was accepted by the previous Congress regime. The upcoming Mopa Greenfield airport is also held as a reason to make the land grant. HERALD INSIGHT investigations reveal that though the Goa government initially may have sought to have a reserve battalion of the CISF stationed here in Goa permanently, for which it agreed to grant 100 acres “ free of cost” to CISF --- the circumstances and the threat perception changed after the proposal was first mooted in 2008- 09. While the Goa government lost interest in the proposal midway, it was the CISF headquarters that vigorously pursued the matter with the aid of some local officials, much to the resentment of the Goa police who were asked to be the requisitioning agency. It even made a “ payment” of Rs 5 cr to seal the deal for the land acquisition. The payment of that money is now being held up as a reason to go ahead with the project, that may not be strictly necessary given that the Indian Reserve Battalion is already stationed here in Goa. It is unclear if the CISF wishes to set up a “ CISF resort” or its 6th reserve battalion or both. In addition to 100 acres, the CISF also moved a proposal for a further 250 acres ( see no. 3, box 4) “ Goa has to stop this sort of disbursement of land, which is sought more because of Brand Goa, and as a cushy posting for its own officers. We cannot fall prey to this sort of pressure” cautions Congress spokesman Jitendra Deshprabhu. “ We must not convert Goa like Kashmir into a security forces zone, as it would reflect adversely on the state and its reputation as a peaceful, communally harmonious, tourism spot”, he adds. Even if the CISF needs land here, there is little justification for the large quantum being sought, officials point out. Besides the state government was always more interested in an Indian Reserve Battalion to train personnel, rather than the CISF, says Mr Deshprabhu. “ It is the greed of acquiring 100 acres that the CISF is pushing hard with the Goa government to set up base here”, he said. Also pushing for another large parcel of land is the Border Security Force, that has sought 85 acres in Parcem, Pernem for a reserve battalion. “ They actually told us that the Arabian Sea is considered the border of India and hence need land here. Next the Indo- Tibetan Border police will want land in Goa”, quipped one government official. Officials in government say para military security forces seek to emulate the examples of the army and navy who have allocated huge areas in the state for themselves. Like most peripheral small states, with an indifferent political leadership, Goa is seen as a soft target for such land acquisitions which end up as plush guest houses and holiday homes, complete with polo grounds, sprawling golf courses and private beaches, more often than not Officials say the Power Grid Corporation of India also earlier made a determined bid to locate a colony here, but were foiled. Under process currently is a request by the Narcotics Control Bureau for 7 acres in Tuem, Bardez. While a request for 2 acres by the Regional Director of IGNOU made in 2011 is on the back burner for the moment. l LAND GRAB http://www.epaperoheraldo.in/Details.aspx?id=6750&boxid=21154968&uid=&dat=9/7/2012 Read more on Herald insight 7/9/2012
