Ponda: The Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) has rejected the defence ministry’s proposal to buy the land bordering Ponda’s Kranti Maidan. The land houses residences of officers posted at the 6 Technical Training Regiment (6TTR) in Curti. The council has also rejected the Centre’s request to extend the land lease.The ministry holds 16,475sqm (0.985 acres) of land, while a small piece of land admeasuring 2,530sqm (0.625 acres) is owned by the PMC, where the council has constructed the Kranti Maidan – the monument dedicated to martyrs of Goa Liberation.The erstwhile Portuguese empire took over around 18,625 sqm (4.602 acres) of land at Sadar Ponda on Aug 19, 1954, to establish their camp.After Goa’s liberation, it became the officers’ residence or Camp 2 of 6TTR.PMC was formed in 1971 and initiated the process to get the land back on Jan 30, 1971.After a series of discussions and correspondence between the PMC and the defence ministry, the ministry proposed to rent the land on Oct 18, 1973.Later, after mediation by then chief minister Ravi Naik, then defence minister Sharad Pawar returned a small piece of 2,530 sqm (0.625 acres) to PMC in 1992-93.However, the army holds most of the land, and efforts are ongoing to get it back.The defence ministry has now proposed to buy the land (0.985 acres). The Army pays around Rs 50,000 in rent. The agreement expires on Dec 18, and the military wants to renew it too.PMC chief officer Bhimnath Khorjuvekar said the council meeting held on Friday has rejected both proposals.———————-TimelineAug 19, 1954 – Portuguese took over the landJan 30, 1971 – PMC begins attempts to get the land backOct 18, 1973 – Defence ministry offers to pay rentFeb 22, 1992 – PMC requests defence ministry to return the land1993 – Defence ministry returns 2,530sqm landLand in questionTotal area – 18,625 sqm (4.602 acres)Kranti Maidan area – 2,530 sqm (0.625 acres)Military camp area – 16,475 sqm (0.985 acres)
