HERALD: In your opinion, does Goa need special status?
Khalap: First, let the State government make it clear as to why it needs special status. Whether it needs special status on the lines of states like Mizoram and Nagaland or under Article 371 of the Constitution of India like that bestowed on the state of Jammu and Kashmir? Only then will one be in a position to debate whether the State really needs a central force to protect it.
HERALD Do you find the State’s demand as not justifiable?
Khalap: So far yes. The government should have come out with a white paper explaining as to how the State is different or peculiar from other States of the country and what are our special problems that require special protection.
HERALD Do you feel that the State needs special category status to protect its land resource?
Khalap:That is exactly what my question is when claimers of special status say that they want to protect the land resources. If protection of land is the only purpose, then the State itself can safeguard the land resources by utilizing the power under the Constitution, which says that the State legislation is competent to make the required laws to protect its land. So what is stopping us from enacting a law and why do we need the Centre to give special category protection when we ourselves can protect our State?
HERALD Do you feel that the claim for special status for protection of land is not acceptable under the Constitution?
Khalap:Definitely not. The Constitution will say that it has given enough powers to the State to protect the land. The government has already drafted several laws like the Agricultural Tenancy Act, Land Revenue Law, Comunidade Law for protection of land, however, all the laws allow transfer of land. Here the government can amend these laws by prohibiting sale of land to non Goans and putting a ceiling on holding of land. This together will save over 80% of the land resources.
HERALDWill the State succeed in fulfilling the promise of special status?
Khalap: It’s a long process, which requires massive lobbying in the Parliament. Goa has only two voices in the Parliament and there are several other voices that demand special attention to their States. The fact is that the political parties are trying to fool people of Goa.
