Two yrs later, Bhumiputra Bill withdrawn

Porvorim: The legislative assembly on Thursday allowed the state government to withdraw controversial Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021, amidst opposition demand to explain the reason for withdrawing the same.

Law minister Nilesh Cabral introduced the bill to withdraw the Bhumiputra bill and it was allowed with voice vote to be withdrawn.

Opposition leader Yuri Alemao asked the government to explain why the bill has been withdrawn. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that the bill was brought to the House at 3am, July-end 2021.

“Law minister has to tell us why he is withdrawing,” Sardesai said.

He said that the bill was not introduced for Goans, but for non-Goans.

On Tuesday, the state cabinet had approved the withdrawal of the controversial bill.

On July 30, 2021, the House had passed the bill that sought to provide a mechanism to give ownership rights to self-occupied dwelling units. However, the bill was not sent for the governor’s assent on administrative grounds.

In the current session, the revenue minister said that the government will explore the possibility of withdrawing the bill following opposition demand.

Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira said that the government had passed the bill in the House, but it was not forwarded to the governor for assent following strong opposition from the public.

“The government has made a statement that the bill is under examination. If you want to withdraw the bill, then you have to place it before the House. You cannot keep this bill pending for so long,” Ferreira had said.