Goanet Digest, Vol 21, Issue 293

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Today's Topics:

   1. Greenwashing the Great Goa Land Grab (GERARD DESOUZA)
   2. DR Jack award and Dr VS scholarship (Nelson Lopes)


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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2026 02:30:55 +0000
From: GERARD DESOUZA <gerardsgazette-0C6mNlnCMQpWk0Htik3J/[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Goanet] Greenwashing the Great Goa Land Grab
Message-ID: <20260614023055.3.e3bd73650801cee6-tmoPwdM+tZgM1iHqa8znS9BPR1lH4CV8@public.gmane.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

View this post on the web at https://gerardsgazette.substack.com/p/greenwashing-the-great-goa-land-grab

We?re now entering the third week of June. And honestly, it doesn?t feel that way. The rain?s playing hide and seek (and so is the sun) and it?s stuffy as hell and the news from the weatherman is that it?s going to continue to remain this way for at least the next few days [ https://substack.com/redirect/e29577c2-e159-409f-bdd2-15fdb91dac1c?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] with there being no indication whether the monsoon is going to pick up once again.
More than that, what?s unusual for this time of the year, is how little stuff of note has been happening in the state (other than land conversions, of course).
Usually, this is the time of the year, the government starts getting back to work (having returned from their May holidays) and transfers take effect, files start moving, announcements are made, initiatives are launched, etc.
Not this time though. The people who matter (or claim that they do) are either too busy celebrating imaginary milestones or scooting back and forth between Goa and Delhi or telling us fancy tales about the glorious future.
But the good news is that this gives me an opportunity to write about something that I?ve been meaning to write about for a while now, but simply didn?t have the time or space to put it together.
Thanks for reading GERARD?s Gazette! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Welcome to yet another edition of Gerard?s Gazette, a weekly newsletter in which I attempt to break down the events of the week gone by and offer a bit of context, as well as a dose of news you may have missed and news behind the news.
If this is your first time here, thank you for signing up, and I hope you stick around! And, as always, if you like what you are reading, make sure you pass it around.
Greenwashing the Great Goa Land Grab [ https://substack.com/redirect/4474f7c5-e533-4937-aae9-fa16b0021344?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ]
(Apologies to Kenneth Bo Nielsen, Heather Bedi and Solano da Silva for pinching the title of their book [ https://substack.com/redirect/db55ef2c-d536-4cc9-b228-b93a4d744b0d?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ]).
Over the last few weeks and months you will have come across news reports such as this [ https://substack.com/redirect/f655e804-830e-420e-90d9-f60a20c5ec0d?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ], (and this [ https://substack.com/redirect/66e144a7-cbc5-4c59-bc62-41e54373e6cc?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] and this [ https://substack.com/redirect/875cbed0-d6a6-459b-8a43-1d309008fcdd?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ]) which seemingly indicate that the Goa government has been on an environmental protection spree via its newly crowned  ?Green Guardian?. [ https://substack.com/redirect/7c040b9a-daa1-4c5d-bab3-1cfef1bd560f?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ]
Now, if you are a regular follower of this newsletter or of news in Goa in particular, you can already see where this is going. In fact, I?ve already written about it (in brief) before [ https://substack.com/redirect/2f84efcc-cf06-4c18-84b9-905902d9576e?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ].
But then the news keeps flowing in to the point that some people might actually buy it (or lap it up, whichever phrase you prefer). The way some people report that Goa is going to impose fines up to Rs 1-crore for hill cutting [ https://substack.com/redirect/f2cd30e3-e929-4412-85e0-393940109402?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] like that?s actually going to happen. Not that it is (no such notification has been issued so far), but even if it is, who are they going to impose it on? After all, there is no hill cutting [ https://substack.com/redirect/939ebc1d-a66c-4ba7-bd31-c01275416389?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] going on in Goa [ https://substack.com/redirect/b22a9c17-4037-45e3-b3a7-78a14246aaf4?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.f
 gOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ].
Back to the ?No Development Zone? then. As you probably already kno [ https://substack.com/redirect/d14eee60-6c77-4537-9a82-23d3e55733a6?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ]w, most of these lands being currently notified as no development zones, are already protected under some provision or the other -- either the CRZ (in the case of the lands along the rivers being claimed to be notified as no development zones) or forest lands or buffer zones of wildlife sanctuaries, or orchard lands, paddy fields or no development slopes, etc.
Why is it then, that the Town and Country Planning Minister is keen to tell the world that he?s the one busy protecting Goa?s environment? I have two theories.
The first suggests that he?s doing this to balance the books. As you know, section 39A is currently under challenge before the Bombay High Court at Goa. And one of the arguments before the bench is that the section is almost exclusively being used to arbitrarily make piecemeal changes to Goa?s Regional Plan 2021 to bring more area under settlement after previous attempts under section 16B and 17(2) have crumbled under judicial scrutiny.
That is to say, that when the matter does indeed come up for public hearing, the government can simply put forth before the courts, that the government has been ?fair? in deploying this section and while some, previously protected, areas, have now been brought under settlement, several others have been added to the ?no development zone? and as such, there is nothing arbitrary or corrupt about the section and its use.
The second theory suggests that a more sinister game is at play. You see, as per the current regime that is in force, all lands in Goa are by default considered to be no development lands unless they are specifically marked as settlement, or industrial (for setting up industries), institutional, etc on the Regional Plan.
A land doesn?t have to specifically be marked as ?no development? for it to be ?no development? if it is either marked as Eco - I or Eco II, it is understood that those lands are outside the purview of development. As per the Regional Plan 2021, there?s around 342 sq. kms (9.25%), which can be made use for growth and development. The rest is Forest (Protected/Reserve/Private) including National Park & Wildlife sanctuaries amounting to 1250 sq kms or 34.63% of Goa, Coastal Regulation Zone which amounts of 400 sq. kms or 10.8% of Goa, water bodies including rivers, lakes which is 216 sq. kms or 5.32% and Agriculture land (paddy fields and orchard) which is 1480 sq. kms 40% of Goa,
Since then, of course, via the host of amendments that have come in since 2022  [ https://substack.com/redirect/5fac60dd-1177-4d7b-bf12-07359d371111?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ]what was once considered no development, is suddenly open for development at the discretion of the Town and Country Planning Department and its various decision making bodies and the individuals who head them.
Instead, the department?s move to to specifically mark certain areas as ?no development zones? is more than just a PR driving image rebuilding exercise, but instead one that turns the above reasoning on its head -- all of Goa is open for development, except those specifically marked as ?no development zone? under section 39A.
After all, isn?t that the implication? When a zone is marked as ?no-development? does it not mean that those not marked as ?no-development? are open to development?
By that logic, more than 70% of Goa is open for development and only 30% is not! So much for being a ?green guardian.?
By renaming lands already declared as protected as ?no development zones? the Town and Country Planning Minister is fooling no one. If instead, there are lands that are already marked as ?settlement? that have now been declared as ?no development zones?, then perhaps we will have reason to look up. Until then, nothing (positive) to see here.
Mhaje Ghar: Stated goals vs real goals
In the first half of this week, the Goa government has been busy organising ?melas? to hand out certificates to those applicants who have emerged successful under the ?Mhaje Ghar Scheme?.
The Mhaje Ghar Scheme, as you know, is essentially a set of three amendments to existing laws viz. The Code of Comunidades, the Goa Land Revenue Code and the Regularisation of Unauthorised Constructions Act (RUCA) that allows owners of residential structures built illegally on comunidade land, of Government Lands and on private lands prior to 1972, to claim ownership rights of up to 300 square metres of the said illegally occupied land after paying a fee. There are of course other terms and conditions to decide who?s eligible and who?s not, but overall such conditions rarely serve as an impediment, if you know what I mean.
Now, if you were to listen to the Chief Minister?s speech [ https://substack.com/redirect/514e14ff-797b-48db-97cb-e6d384794f4e?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] at the event held in Panjim for the beneficiaries from North Goa, you might be tempted to think that he?s actually on to something and that this scheme will be most beneficial to local residents who have genuinely been litigating for land rights for years but haven?t yet been successful.
And while that might be true in some cases, a closer examination of the issue will reveal that you are not being told the whole story. The first question that should obviously come to mind is that, if they are indeed suffering for decades, how come they haven?t secured relief under the Mundkar Act, which most landless classes have availed since the 60s and 70s.
The answer to that begins to make sense only once to start to realise that most of the existing beneficiaries do not otherwise qualify to be ?mundkars? under the Mundkar Act, which has a cut off date as February 4, 1971. By contrast, the Mhaje Ghar scheme?s cut off date is February 28, 2014 and as such, anyone who has occupied a comunidade or government land before that date will be eligible for the Mhaje Ghar scheme.
At the two events held in north and south Goa the Chief Minister was keen to stress that the beneficiaries of this scheme are local Goans (ostensibly to counter the opposition?s allegations that the scheme is brought solely to benefit the slum dweller and his illegal hutments set up on comunidade and government lands over the years).
But he is being economical with the truth and not sharing the whole story [ https://substack.com/redirect/c0f2e4a6-c9e9-436f-998b-2a30511c77c6?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ]. Whenever something illegal is sought to be justified, it always is justified in the name of helping the poor, the vulnerable, the disenfranchised and the dependent who has no other means of sustenance. Be it illegal mining, late night parties or illegal constructions, the argument is that it must be allowed to continue, else the poor will suffer.  And the Mhaje Ghar scheme is no different.
While there indeed will be people who genuinely stand to benefit from this, the real target beneficiaries will not be those occupying comunidade the seating at the official function to hand over sanads, instead they will be those occupying lands at Zuarinagar, Sancoale, Monte Dongor, Margao and Khorlim Mapusa behind St. Xavier?s College.
The gap between the lofty ideals of the stated objective and the hard nosed cynicism of the real objective is where the politician of today has built his illegal dwelling and that?s where he?s residing. Good luck demolishing that one!
That?s all I have for you this week. Make sure you comment or write in, should you have something, anything to say.
I would also invite you to contribute via sending in your views, especially on a subject you know something about, and I will be happy to include it as part of the newsletter.
You are also welcome to write in with leads and tip-offs or anything that you think might be interesting enough to include here.
As always, please share and help spread the word.
Until next week, then. Tchau!
Thanks for reading GERARD?s Gazette! This post is public so feel free to share it.

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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:26:43 +0530
From: Nelson Lopes <[email protected]>
To: "Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994!"
	<[email protected]>
Subject: [Goanet] DR Jack award and Dr VS scholarship
Message-ID:
	<CACCOym+sKqet2hzXczTq_iaGxNUGN6xkvDow55On=GF21E2-Fw-JsoAwUIsXosN+BqQ9rBEUg@public.gmane.org>
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PCTRUST
Dr VS Mascarenhas Science Scholarship  & Dr Jack Sequeira award
Ms Saanvi Mahesh Madgaonkar, St Joseph's Institute ,Vasco Scored 590 marks
,ranked topper at SSC, GBSHSE 2026
She claims a Science memorial  scholarship of Rs15000= p. a.for 6 years by
Dr. VS
She also  won Dr.Jack Sequeira memorial Award  Rs 15000.= with citations
 founded by Goan admirers and friends
She scores 100 marks in Social and Mr Ramchandran G Naik n Mrs Bina A
Sarkar are appreciated with Mrs Prema Vaz 99 marks  in French and Mrs
Lenina Fernandes Mathematics 99 marks
PEd.Director of the school Mr Jagdish T.N.Bandodkar is honoured too
Ms Joyleen De Melo topped schools of Chinchinim with 543 marks awaeded
Rs50,000 Fr Oscar memorial award,Margarida Ponce Science Scholarship Rs
12000p.a for 6 years, and Margarida award Rs 12000 for being First in
Assumpta
MS Anaiza  Evon Teixeira  received Rs 8000 Margarida  Ponce award for being
Second in Assumpta
Headmistress  St Joseph's ,Institute  Smt.Maria J.Cardoso is Specially
felicitated for obtaining top rank at the GBSHSE
Ms Saanvi daughter of Mr Mahesh &  Mrs Poonam Madgaonkar
Mr.Pachu Menon &  Flossy  graced the ocassion
Nelson Lopes
Chairman

Nelson Lopes
Chinchinim
https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com


End of Goanet Digest, Vol 21, Issue 293
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