SUNDAY, MAY 05, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Bowing down to consistent pressure from the merchants’ association and Opposition parties, the State government has withdrawn the controversial Goa Municipalities (amendment) Ordinance 2020.
“Whereas, the Legislative Assembly of Goa is not in session and the Governor of Goa is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 213 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Goa is pleased to promulgate the following Ordinance namely - This Ordinance may be called the Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Withdrawal Ordinance, 2021,” states the notification released by the Department of Law.
The decision comes at a time when the All Goa Merchants Association United Forum mounted pressure on the government to repeal or refer the bill to a Select Committee for wider consultation with the stakeholders.
In the wake of strong objection from the traders across municipal areas, the government had earlier this month kept in abeyance the implementation of the ordinance while stating that the amendments would be introduced in the upcoming Legislative Assembly for discussion.
The Association has submitted a series of suggestions on the amendment to the government. They demanded that automatic renewal every three years be maintained, objected to the automatic termination of leases due to non-payment of rent or failure to renew, and said that increase in rent by 10 per cent annually is exorbitant and sought an outer limit be fixed.
Minister Michael Lobo had also suggested a rethink on the amendment stating stakeholders need to be taken into confidence before implementing it.
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat took to twitter celebrating the withdrawal stating, “People’s power once again emerges supreme. After our warning yesterday (Friday) of strong protests in & out of Goa Legislative Assembly, the @GovtofGoa now issues notification of withdrawal of The Goa Municipalities Ordinance No. 13 of 2020. @INCGoa’s committed to protect identity of Goa.”
