PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday declined to comment on Revenue Minister Jennifer Monserrate claiming that she had red-flagged him about the controversial Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill and that an appropriate decision will be taken after receiving suggestions/objections.
Sawant said that the Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill has not been sent to the Governor for his assent and has been kept open for people to submit their suggestions and objections, if any.
So far 150 suggestions/objections have been received by the department. Suggestions are still being filed by the people, he said, adding that all these will be examined and valid ones incorporated in the Bill to be amended and reintroduced in the winter session of Goa Assembly to be convened within the next two months.
On Wednesday, Monserrate had said that she had expressed her fears over the Bill and had suggested that it needs more discussion before it is introduced in the Assembly.
Following a large number of people expressing strong sentiments to the use of the word Bhumiputra, the Chief Minister had announced that the word Bhumiputra will be omitted from the Bill and it will be renamed at Goa Bhumi Adhikarini Bill, 2021.
Opposition members who had staged a walk out at the time of passing of the Bill have, however, criticised the Chief Minister for renaming the Bill without withdrawing it in toto in the House.
