Govt won’t force it if people oppose: BJP on bhumiputra bill

Panaji: BJP on Saturday said that the controversial Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021, was withdrawn after experts pointed out “differences” in the law. Party general secretary Damodar Naik said that “if the people don’t want something, this government will not force the same on the public”.

Naik said that a majority of people didn’t want the bill, and that the state government would issue a detailed reason for withdrawing it.

On Thursday, the House allowed the bill to be withdrawn even as leader of opposition Yuri Alemao demanded an explanation for why this was done. Law minister Nilesh Cabral introduced the bill to withdraw it, and this was passed by voice vote.

Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that the bill was brought to the house at 3am. “The law minister has to tell us why he is withdrawing (the bill),” Sardesai demanded.

Sardesai said that the bill was not brought for Goans but for non-Goans.

The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the withdrawal of the controversial bill.

The House had passed the bill on July 30, 2021.