Digital Goa, July 25 – The alleged Zuari land scam resurfaced in the Goa Assembly with Goa Forward MLA Vijai Sardessai questioning whether the government would reclaim the land under the new law which allows comunidades to take back plots not used for their intended purpose. He said the land was meant for industry, but Zuari is presently not using it for the purpose. Vijai asked as to whether the new law could be applicable to the land under the remaining three conversion sanads which are pending in Collectorate South as applicant did not collected E-challan for payment of fees. Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate clarified that the new legislation applies prospectively and does not cover the Zuari case, where land has already been sold. Citing legal opinion, he said the land cannot be reclaimed and blamed the concerned communidade for failing to protect it. CM Sawant on his part said his govt is not involved in the scam. Vijai alleged the deal is Goa’s biggest scam, worth ₹50,000 crore—enough to wipe out the state’s ₹33,956 crore debt.
