RYOTS OPPOSE ACQUISITION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR KALA BHAVAN IN MAPUSA

The proposed Kala Bhavan project at Mapusa has run into trouble. A group of Mapusa farmers under the banner of Sridev Bodgeshwar shetkari samiti have presented a representation to the Bardez deputy collector opposing the acquisition of agricultural land for the proposed Kala Bhavan opposite the Mapusa police station. Their contention is that it will affect their livelihoods.
The land acquisition process is underway with the government having already notified section IV for acquiring around 8,000 square metres of land in paddy fields. However, having realized that 8,000 square metres will be insufficient, the government is now planning to acquire another 14,000 square metres at the same place.
Bardez deputy collector D Redkar inspected the site along with a representative of the department of art and culture. Redkar has fixed the public hearing for affected persons for Wednesday afternoon. Mapusa MLA Francis D'Souza has expressed sympathy with the farmers. Pointing to the fact that the government now wants to acquire additional land that is more than double the original area sought to be acquired, D'Souza said it shows that the government's original estimate was wrong. He offered two solutions to the problem. One is to build the Kala Bhavan on land which has already been acquired by the government for the purpose near St Xavier's college. The second is to acquire twice the land required for the Kala Bhavan, use half for the project and give the other half to the affected tenants. "The cultivators have to be compensated. You cannot deny the cultivators the only asset they have. You can also compensate by paying them market rates," D'Souza said. D'Souza pointed out that the government was wrong in acquiring agricultural land when it already has in its possession around 20,000 square metres of land near St Xavier's college. "The Supreme Court has said governments should not acquire agricultural land. So what is the point in acquiring agricultural land when you already have land near St Xavier's?" He also said that with most people having vehicles, going up the hill would not be a problem.