The Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, propped up reportedly by a disdainful Minister and aimed at wooing the migrant vote-bank, with an eye on elections, boomeranged. Instead, it outraged Goans beyond a limit, that the Government beat a hasty retreat, deciding to withdraw it even faster that it introduced it. No wonder that a bill which was brought without study or application of mind, introduced hurriedly and approved the same day, without any discussion, had to be consigned to the dustbin, possibly apprehending that it may not merit the new Governor’s assent, due to representations about the illegality of the Bill or failure to follow proper procedure in the Assembly. It is surely unheard of in a democracy – but a normal procedure in world’s largest – to introduce bills, hold no discussions and shout out approval on the same day, with the brute and partly illiterate majority available. Apparently, the Bill, which needed prior Cabinet nod, was approved by circulation. So, neither in Cabinet nor in the Assembly, the Bill with such far-reaching consequences, warranted any discussion, perhaps because most wouldn’t have understood it, as majority haven’t attended College. And it is such people who make laws for us!
The Mundkar & Tenancy Acts had already accorded protection and given rights to many Goans. But, if still, as the CM claims, the Bill was meant to protect landless Goans, a 60-year (from 1961) residence clause would have been more genuine than a 30-year one, which is obviously to favour the migrants. The insanity in the Bill is also that it stipulates residence of “bhumiputra” for 30 years in the State, which need not necessarily be at the dwelling unit, which he is claiming the right to; suffices if it existed prior to 1.4.2019. Further, if the Bill was meant to help the poor, surely a plinth of maximum 250 m2 is too large an area, which even many wealthy Goans may not own. I smell a rat here, as possibly the Bill is brought also to help some large house grabbers, potential financiers of the ruling class.
House owners, particularly those abroad, having tenants/caretakers beware! This Government is out to sell Goa. Heavy “money bags” and building mafia from Goa and other States, sponsored by those who matter, are waiting in queue to buy or grab what is left of Goa. This blatantly illegal Bill, aimed at encroaching on people’s constitutional right to hold property, is not even worth the paper it is written on, and will surely not stand the test of law.
Dignified Goans, irrespective of social status or political affiliation, strongly object to migrants being conferred the title of “bhumiputras”. Not that we consider them inferior, certainly not. But, no self-respecting son of the soil of any State would ever tolerate an outsider being called ‘bhumiputra”.
It is imperative, however, to understand how this BJP Government, which was rejected by the people in 2017 and is in power thanks to the support of turncoats, has been on an aggressive march to further marginalise Goans and advance an agenda detrimental to theirs and beneficial to its industrialists friends and financial supporters. No doubt, it must be conceded that the exercise of sidelining Goans and promoting the migrant vote-bank was started by the Congress, be it in Margao, Sancoale, Mormugao or anywhere else. The contribution of the migrant work force to Goa’s development needs to be acknowledged and we should hold no grudge against them. What, however, Goans rightly resent and deplore is that they should illegally squat on or grab private or Comunidade land and hold election cards, when they are also voters elsewhere outside the State. This is where we, as migrants outside Goa or in foreign countries, differ from them. So, let those who keep reminding us that we, Goans, too are migrants elsewhere, note this important difference. The Central Government made Aadhaar Card compulsory for almost everything and linked it to Pan Card, but has conveniently and cunningly refused to link it to election card. This is to deliberately encourage the fraud of the holder in being a voter in multiple places. When Mamlatdars have been conniving in fraudulently issuing such election cards, at the behest of their masters, can we expect them to correctly assess the presence of “bhumiputras” in Goa for 30 years?
Wooing of migrants, by freely issuing ration and election cards and making Government schemes easily available, when Goans face difficulties in similar processes, has been annoying locals, who unfortunately hold this against migrants, when politicians and bureaucrats are responsible for it. Frustrated with these and other happenings, many have quit Goa. And I am convinced that this is the objective of this Government. Can’t fail to painfully recall the insensitive response of a late CM of Goa: “Vochum dhi re tankam” when confronted with a comment on the exodus of Goans with Portuguese passports.
Goa elections are only a few months away. With Opposition in disarray, they could have been held earlier. But they won’t. Anticipating that many of them would be dumped in the waste bin, the rulers won’t take any chances, as their greed is not yet satiated.
We need to realise that the greatest traitors to Goa are our own people, whom we have elected time and again to serve their and our own interests, not Goa’s. Unity of forces opposed to the ruling dispensation seemed the only way to save Goa. But it is a far cry and unlikely to happen, much to the glee of BJP. Shedding egos and sacrificing aspirations by those who love Goa, to avoid split of votes will help. If we fail, Goa will never forgive nor forget our betrayal at this crucial juncture.
(The author is a retired banker)
