Can't convert irrigation areas for non-farm use, want report: Goa agriculture minister Ravi Naik
Panaji:
A day after
TOI
reported that the state ignored its agricultural policy and handed over 3.3 lakh sqm of irrigation land at Dhargalim to a casino firm, agriculture minister Ravi Naik said on Friday that areas under the command of major, medium, and minor irrigation projects are to be banned from being converted for
.
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He also sought a detailed report from the agriculture secretary.
Naik questioned whether the Tillari Irrigation Command Area Authority granted its clearance for the conversion of the land in question.
Referring to
TOI
's report, Naik, who was not present at the cabinet meeting that took the decision, in a note moved to the agriculture secretary, said that on Feb 6, 2025, the state cabinet approved the
, 2025.
'In terms of the policy, areas under the commands of major, medium, and minor irrigation projects are to be banned from being converted for non-agricultural use,' Naik said.
'The Times of India, in its daily newspaper, has reported a news article under the heading, 'State ignores its agri policy, hands over 3.3L sqm irrigation land to casino firm',' Naik's note said.
'Tremendous efforts need to be taken to transform our small state into a self-sufficient state in the agriculture sector. As such, the news article should be examined, and a detailed report should be placed for the perusal of govt,' Naik said.
'Moreover, it may be specified whether at any point in time, comments/clearance/NOC of the directorate of agriculture have been obtained whilst conversion of the land mentioned in the news article.
Also, whether the Tillari Irrigation Command Area Authority granted its clearance for the conversion of the said land.'
'The zonal agriculture office concerned, or the official of the directorate of agriculture should inspect the said area and place on record the type of land specified in the news article.
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More particularly, whether the land is agricultural land specified under the Goa Restrictions on Transfer of Agricultural Land Act, 2023,' Naik said.
Two months after govt's much-avowed Goa State Amritkal Agriculture Policy, 2025 was introduced to revitalise farming and make the state self-sufficient, chief minister Pramod Sawant-led govt on Wednesday denotified 3.3 lakh sqm of the Tillari command area at Dhargalim to pave the way for Delta Corp Ltd, a casino gaming company, to set up an integrated resort.
The project, which will come up at the command area of the Tillari irrigation project, comprises three hotels, a convention centre, a multiplex, a retail area, a water park, banquet facilities, and a children's entertainment area, among other amenities.
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