PANJIM: With Assembly elections due in approximately five months, the BJP-led State government that faced a major backlash over the controversial Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill now does not appear to be in any hurry to reintroduce and pass it.
The Bill is currently with the Law Department and the State government has decided to allow it to lapse and, if required, introduce a new Bill, with stakeholders’ inputs, next year after the elections and when a new government is in place.
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The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the State Legislative Assembly that met on Tuesday, discussed on reintroduction of the controversial Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill 2021, as announced by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. The Opposition also sought to know whether the Bill has been sent to the Governor for his assent.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Speaker Rajesh Patnekar said the Bill has not been sent to the Governor for assent and the same is pending with the Law Department. “Publication of the Bill in the Official Gazette, last week, is just a routine process to inform the public about the Bill as it was introduced. This does not mean, the Governor has granted assent,” he clarified.
Earlier, Legislative Affairs Minister Mauvin Godinho said the government has decided not to reintroduce the Bill in the upcoming session, scheduled on October 18-19. “We will allow the Bill to lapse as the government had a rethink on the issue and it was felt that the subject needs much more wider consultation and we will do it,” he said.
Godinho said once the new government takes over, a new Bill will be introduced, if required. “Let us do it in the new Assembly. The new government will have a new Bill if required,” he maintained.
The Bill was passed at midnight on July 30 amid a walkout by the Opposition, which accused the government of rushing poorly thought out bills without adequate discussion.
Following a severe backlash from cross sections, the Chief Minister had announced that the government will reintroduce the Bill after incorporating public suggestions in the next session. Accordingly, the Bill was kept open for public suggestions from August 4 onwards.
The Chief Minister had last month said the Bill had received 150 suggestions from the public.
Besides the Opposition, civil society also called it a ‘mockery’ of Goans and had demanded the withdrawal of the same. Several delegations had even approached Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai requesting not to grant assent to the Bill.
