Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The opposition to the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, which was hurriedly passed in the recently concluded Assembly, has intensified with the civic society threatening state-wide agitation.
While the citizens have criticised the Government for passing the Bill favouring migrants, the Opposition was not spared as “they gave a safe passage to the Bill” in the Assembly by the walkout.
So far, only few politicians, Madkai MLA Sudin Dhavalikar and Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar, have stood against the Bil besides Congress president Girish Chodankar.
Chodankar said that the Goans are totally against the illegal act of the Government to destroy the democratic process and push for legislation without discussions.
“If the government does not rectify the errors, I will lead a morcha of 10,000 people to Sanquelim against the Bill,” he said.
Dhavalikar, who demanded the repeal of the Bill immediately, said using the Bhumiputra is an insult to sons of the soil.
“The flood-affected Goans are crying for help. Instead of such BIlls help them in reconstructing their houses,” Dhavalikar said.
Dhavalikar said the definition of Bhumiputra should be those staying before 1968 and not 30 years.
Gaonkar, on the other hand, demanded that the Government remove the word BHumiputra from the Bill, which was an insult to original settlers who have been living in Goa for generations.
“The Government hurriedly passed 20 Bills not granting time to the Opposition MLAs to study the Bills, he said.
Meanhwile, the tribal group Gawada Kunbi Velip and Dhangar Federation (GAKUVED) has threatened a State-wide agitation against the Bill.
“Passing the Bill of such magnanimity required. a debate in House. The Government has changed the definition of Bhumiputra,” they said.
Terming the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill 2021 as “anti-Goan”, the forum ‘Progressive Front of Goa’ (PFG) has decided to create public awareness against the Bill.
Prof Prajal Sakhardande of PFG said its members would reach out to people to make them aware about the Bill.
He appealed to people to agitate against the Bill and force the Government to repeal it.
Adv Hridaynath Shirodkar of PFG said the Gawda, Kunbi, Velip, communities are recognised as ‘Bhumiputra’ and not people who reside just for 30 years.
“The purpose of the Bill is to regularise illegal houses of the migrant population. Does the Government want to regularise houses of Bangladeshi nationals who reside in some slum areas,” asked Adv. Shirodkar.
“Even encroachments on temple property will be legalised. This Bill has been brought in through the backdoor. How can a committee of bureaucrats directly under government control be trusted to make free and fair decisions about the number of years of illegal houses?” questioned Shirodkar.
Bhumiputra Adhikarni Bill –
Murder of Democracy: AAP
Goemkarponn desk
DONA PAULA: The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday took a delegation to visit the Governor of Goa to object to the misgovernance of the Sawant Sarkar. AAP Goa Convenor Rahul Mhambre led the delegation.
On top priority was the poorly drafted and hurriedly passed Bhumiputra Adhikarni Bill.
AAP Goa also shared with the Governor the state of misgovernance in Goa caused by the Sawant Sarkar & highlighted issues faced by students, women and Mining dependents.
AAP Goa also highlighted that the critical monsoon session, usually held for 3-4 weeks, was curtailed to just three days.
In this short time, many bills, including necessary legislation like Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill 2021, were pushed through hurriedly without any discussion or debate.
There was no discussion on many of the critical issues facing Goans, including unemployment and the economic crisis, mishandling of the Covid pandemic, deaths due to oxygen shortage, failure to protect Goa’s lifeline river Mhadei, failure to handle natural disasters such as floods and cyclone, and environmental issues such as the three linear projects, Coal Hub, and CZMP.
“The way the Bhumiputra Adhikarni bill was forced through the assembly is a murder of democracy,” said Rahul Mhambre.
“No conversation or consultation was done with stakeholders. You curtailed the Assembly session by using Covid as an excuse, but you never thought of Covid when you took out a massive rally in Sanquelim? Bypassing a bill without any consultation, you have murdered democracy,” said Mhambre.