Goemkarponn Desk
MARGAO: The Goa Official Language Act (OLA) can only be amended by passing a bill or resolution in the Legislative Assembly, according to the Global Konknni Forum (GKF). Elected MLAs have a responsibility to consider the demands of the populace and enact the necessary laws to grant Roman script equal status.
GKF President Kennedy Afonso, Secretary Jose Salvador Fernandes, and Xavier Mascarenhas announced at a news conference that the “Meet Your MLA – Kodel Zay vo Romi Zay” campaign would begin on September 23. This project is a component of the broader effort to request that the Roman script be granted equal status in the OLA.
According to Afonso, “GKF seeks to meet with all of the Goa MLAs, accompanied by a delegation of individuals from their respective constituencies, to have a peaceful, positive, and constructive interaction.”
He said that copies of two Private Members’ Bills would be given to the MLAs of each constituency, asking them to introduce and approve the Bills in the upcoming winter Assembly session with backing from the ruling administration.
September 23 is the date of the first meeting with Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginald Lourenco. MLAs are meant to have an opportunity to participate in these sessions, not to be coerced or intimidated, according to Afonso.
He also brought up the fact that, despite his public pledge, the late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had not yet implemented the rule that would have taught Konkani in Roman script in schools.
Fernandes stated, “CM Pramod Sawant has an opportunity to uphold Parrikar’s commitment and demonstrate to the world that Goa is a land of unity in diversity by allowing Konkani to be taught in Roman script in schools.”
