The Goa Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed a heated discussion over the misuse of Goan identity, as MLAs raised concerns about individuals fraudulently changing their surnames to Goan surnames in order to wrongfully avail government benefits meant for Goan residents.
Responding to the issue, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant assured the House that the government is treating the matter with utmost seriousness. “The cases will be studied, and if any fraud is found, the offenders will face up to three years of imprisonment,” he said.
Several MLAs demanded the introduction of stricter laws and a special amendment to curb such practices and protect the integrity of state welfare schemes.
CM Sawant reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling the issue, stating, “Our government is very serious about this.” He also indicated that appropriate legal steps will be taken to prevent further exploitation of Goan identity through fraudulent documentation.
The statement comes amid growing concerns about non-Goans manipulating records to gain access to jobs, financial assistance, and other state-run benefits intended for locals.