Cong manifesto to include ban on sale of farm land

Congress in Goa today said the party manifesto for the forthcoming polls would include a demand for a complete ban on non-Goans and non-farmers from buying agriculture land in the state.

State Congress spokesperson Ramakant Khalap also told reporters here that this point has been included in the party manifesto for bringing about a solution to land scarcity faced by the state.

Ahead of the March 3 Assembly polls, Congress is giving final touches to its election manifesto, which is likely to be made public in the next two weeks. A special committee, headed by the former Minister of State for External Affairs Eduardo Faleiro has been formed for this.

Khalap, who is the convenor of the Faleiro Committee, said the intention behind the move was to ensure that the land is being saved and preserved for future generations.

"Drying land resources due to real estate has been a major concern for the state," Khalap said.

Congress has promised to enact a law, once elected to power that would make it compulsory for an individual to reside in the state for 25 years, to claim himself to be a Goan, which would entitle him to buy an agriculture property if he is a farmer.

"Even a farmer from other states won't be allowed to buy a property in Goa," he said.
   
The party also intends to penalise the local farmers who keep their lands fallow. "The farmers would be encouraged to cultivate the land," he said.
   
"All the Goans, who are committed towards 'Goa for Goans', should not sell the agriculture properties," Khalap said.