PANJIM: Amidst stiff opposition from the Congress, the Goa Legislative Assembly passed the Goa (Mopa Airport Development Authority) Bill, 2018 which will pave the way for constituting the Mopa Airport Development Authority, after a division of votes.
The Bill saw voting on two counts, one at the consideration stage and another at the passing stage, which the government sailed through with 19 votes to 14.
Opposition leader Chandrakant (Babu) Kavalekar moved amendments to the Bill under Rule 143 of the House. “There are lots of apprehensions in the minds of the people and hence I think it should be moved to the Select Committee,” he said.
Under the Bill, he added, all powers have been removed from panchayats, municipalities. “The only appellate authority will be the High Court as under Section 12 there is no provision for stay under any law by any other court,” he said, adding that all this has to be considered.
Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said there was no clarity on the Bill and hence it must be sent to the Select Committee. “The Bill overrides all powers. The PDAs will have powers to increase the area also,” he said.
Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro termed the Bill as a “draconian” act which has extra constitutional powers. “The Bill supersedes all authorities. They have been given such sweeping powers. Hence it should be sent to the Select Committee,” the former Chief Minister said.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar replying to the doubts raised by the opposition said the bill will give permission within Mopa airport only and not outside. “This area has not been notified as airport yet and as of now it comes under six panchayats and it is hard to identify which land comes under which panchayat,” he said, adding, “Taking NOCs and permissions under such circumstances is a difficult job.” He said that to fast track the project the Bill has been introduced.
About the court jurisdiction, he said, “Civil Court and District Court have been prohibited as stays are taken and many important projects are blocked. As it is the Bill will give authority under local laws and not Central.”
He added, “Green laws, environment laws are beyond the jurisdiction and are mandatory. No airports are under municipality or panchayats as it comes under Airport Authority Act.”
