Govt pushes through voice vote; Oppn cries foul
TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The State Legislative Assembly Monday passed seven important Bills including the Goa Building (Lease Rent and Eviction) Control (Amendment) Bill, Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill 2013 among others with a majority voice vote, amidst Congress legislators and an Independent staging a walkout.
Prices of housing projects and cost of construction in Goa could shoot up as Goa Assembly approved the Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill, 2013. This could even have an effect on property prices in the State.
This was among six other important legislations passed by majority vote.
The Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill, 2013 seeks to empower the government to specify a fee for conversion of use of land from one purpose to another as per the location of the land.
Six other Bills including Goa Cess in Products and Substances Causing Pollution (Green Cess) Bill, 2013; Goa Buildings (Lease, Rent and Eviction) Control (Amendment) Bill, 2013; Goa Legislative Diploma No. 645 dated 30-3-1933 (Amendment) Bill, 2013; The (Goa Motor Vehicles Taxation on Passengers and Goods) (Amendment) Bill, 2013; Goa Motor Vehicle Tax (Amendment), Bill, 2013; and the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2013 were also passed with majority voice vote in the absence of the Congress legislators and Independent MLA Vijai Sardessai, who had already walked out of the House in protest.
Earlier, speaking on property legislations, Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane said, “it will cost a lot of money to the people and as it is we are in recession”.
Similarly, when the Goa Buildings (Lease, Rent and Eviction) Control (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was tabled for discussion, Rane said the problem will arise for those who have rented houses for over 2-3 decades. “Anyone will come and ask them to evict and may even sell the house… those staying on rent will be on the streets,” he argued.
Responding to Rane’s apprehensions, Revenue Minister Francis D’Souza said the Bill was in the interest of “weaker sections” like widows, senior citizens and physically disabled.
“We have to help them if we consider them in the weaker section. They comprise of small percentage. It is very important to cater to the needs of the weaker section and protect their interest,” he said trying to convince the Opposition of the government’s move to introduce the legislation.
The Opposition benches were vacant as the other Bills were taken up for discussion and subsequently passed on majority voice vote by the Speaker.
