Tivim, Goa – In a growing movement, Tivim villagers, supported by the NGO Goyche Fuddle Pillge Khatir (For the Protection of Future Generations), have intensified their protest against the proposed establishment of a private university by the MIT group. The villagers are demanding the return of their comunidade land and the cancellation of the existing lease agreement.
The NGO played a crucial role in revealing the unfavorable terms of the lease, obtaining a classified copy and sharing it with the local community. The document’s contents sparked widespread outrage, prompting the village to unite against the project.
The villagers raised several concerns, including:
- Violation of Comunidade Code: The lease contravenes the basic principles of the Comunidade system, which prioritize land use for agriculture, water conservation, and local needs.
- Lack of Consent: The lease was signed without the proper approval of the full comunidade, with only 45 members participating in the decision.
- Suspicious Signatories: Alleged questionable names among the signatories have raised concerns over the legitimacy of the process.
- Unfavorable Lease Terms:
- Scholarships for local students are restrictive, requiring a 95% score and offering only Rs. 1666 per month.
- The MIT group is paying a nominal rent of Rs. 1.04 per square meter, far below the land’s actual value.
- The lease allows the group to mortgage the land without the comunidade’s consent, risking seizure if payments default.
- The lease includes a clause for automatic perpetual renewal, giving the group long-term control over the land.
The villagers argue that these terms severely disadvantage the Tivim comunidade and threaten their future development. They are urging the Goa government to intervene and cancel the lease. Protests will continue until their demands are met, with the community emphasizing that it is the ordinary Goans, not superheroes, who will safeguard the future of Goa.
