Digital Goa, Aug 1 – Sub Registrars have been asked not to refuse registration of any agricultural land, nor to demand any proof of being an agriculturist from any buyer till the rules of the ‘Goa Restrictions on Transfer of Agricultural Land Act’ are notified. A circular to this effect has been issued by the State Registrar cum Head of Notary Services. “The Government has enacted The Goa Restrictions on Transfer of Agricultural Land Act. 2023 (Goa Act 18 of 2023) (17.04.2023) and the Rules are not yet notified. Till the notification of the Rules, the Sub Registrars shall not refuse registration of any such land mentioned in the above act, nor shall demand any proof of being an agriculturist from any buyer as they are neither empowered to do So under the Registration Act, 1908 or the above mentioned Act. However, in case they are suspicious of any transactions in violation of the above mentioned Act, they may refer the registered Deeds to the respective Collector for necessary action,” the circular adds.
Incidentally, The Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Act, 2023 (Goa Act 18 of 2023), which has been passed by the Legislative Assembly of Goa on March 31, 2023 and assented to by the Governor of Goa on April 17, 2023. The same has also been published in the official gazette for the general information of the public on April 18, 2023 (https://goaprintingpress.gov.in/downloads/2324/2324-2-SI-EOG-2.pdf)
