Goa takes step to avoid secretariat attachment

The govt has agreed to furnish a bank guarantee

The Goa government has finally started acting on the fast-track court's order to attach the state secretariat building. The government has agreed to furnish a bank guarantee for the amount to be paid to the landlord.

The fast-track court at Panaji had issued orders for attaching the secretariat as the state had failed to pay up for 5,35,429.30 sq mt of land acquired by it.

The issue has been hanging fire for nearly 25 years. The land at Chodana Island was acquired from Jose Velho at 50 paise per sq mt. However, the government failed to pay him and Velho moved the court in 1986 claiming compensation.

The court directed the government to pay Velho at the rate of Rs 5 per sq mt. But, the government did not respond to the court order.

The court had set October 13 as the deadline for the government to pay up, failing which the state secretariat building was to be attached.

The total value of the property stands at around Rs 21.41 lakh. Moreover, the court has directed the state to pay 30 per cent of solatium charges and 12 per cent interest on the market value of the land. Total amount to be paid stands at Rs 1 crore now.

The secretariat building was built in 1500 AD by Adil Shah, the ruler of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur, and in 1759, it became the viceroy's official residence during the Portuguese regime. The state filed a petition with the Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court, seeking a stay on the order of the fast-track court. But the plea was dismissed, upholding the decision of the fast-track court.

The Goa government is said to be trying to negotiate with Velho.