Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate said that Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill has not been referred to Goa Governor for his assent as the matter is under examination of government.
“Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, ed by the 2021 (Bill No. 49 of 2021) was passed by s Bhumi the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa on 30th July, 2021. However the Bill is not referred to the Hon’ble Governor for his assent as the matter is under examination of the Government,” said Monserrate
He further said that the Government may also before referring the Bill to assent of Governor may refer the Bill back to the Legislative Assembly again for re- consideration.
“As far as the procedure required to be followed for passing of a Bill it may be stated that the Bill is introduced in the House by the concerned Minister with a notice for leave to introduce the Bill,” he added
The Bhumiputra Bill proposed to consider anyone who has lived in Goa for at least 30 years as a bhumiputra (son of the soil) and allowed them to seek ownership rights to the small housing units in which they live.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant, who fiercely defended the legislation on and off social media, had insisted that the legislation was aimed at helping people who live in houses smaller than 250sq metres built on government or community land.
The legislation exposed Sawant to sharp criticism that accused the government of encouraging people who encroached public and community land.
The legislation was sharply criticised by the opposition and activists, prompting the Pramod Sawant government to put it on hold and not send it to the governor for Raj Bhavan’s assent.
Sawant announced in early August that the government will bring an amended version of the controversial law that will incorporate suggestions received from the public.
