Goa Bill: Industries Can Purchase Agriculture Land To Pursue Farming

On Tuesday, the assembly introduced the Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Bill, 2023, which includes provisions for industries, cooperative farming societies, and non-agriculturists who wish to purchase agricultural land for farming.

The bill stipulates that individuals who own, occupy, or possess agricultural land are prohibited from transferring such land to non-agriculturists through any means of transfer, including sale (including through a court order or for the recovery of land revenue), gift, exchange, lease, or any other method of transfer.

In most cases, farmers are not allowed to sell their agricultural land to non-agriculturalists unless they obtain permission from the relevant collector. However, in certain special circumstances where an industrial or commercial enterprise requires land for agricultural purposes related to its operations, permission may be granted.

Land can be transferred in cases where a cooperative farming society requires it. Additionally, if a non-agriculturist wishes to engage in agriculture and can personally cultivate the land, the collector may permit the transfer. However, if an individual acquires the land for agricultural purposes, they must commit to sustaining the farming activity.

The bill states that if a person abandons or discontinues farming activity on their agricultural land, the land will be returned to the government after three years. Additionally, the bill prohibits any person who owns, occupies, or possesses agricultural land from using it for any purpose other than agriculture, unless they follow the due procedure outlined in the relevant laws.

"If any transfer of agricultural land violates the provisions of subsections (1), it will be deemed null and void under the law." The proposed legislation also outlines that if there is a dispute about whether a particular piece of land is agricultural or not, the mamlatdar will conduct an inquiry to resolve the matter.

Certain cases, such as obtaining a loan to enhance agricultural land by mortgaging it, will not be subject to these provisions. Additionally, the provisions will not apply to the inheritance of the right to agricultural land, transfers of agricultural land by operation of the law, or transfers of agricultural land to the government for government projects.

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