The Budget Ses sion of the Goa Legislative Assembly beginning March 6 is poised to be one of the most contentious in recent years, with the opposition preparing to mount a co ordinated attack on what it describes as a series of gov ernment-driven decisions threatening land, environ ment and public assets. The session, scheduled from March 6 to March 27, comes against the backdrop of protests over changes in land-use laws, concerns about the future of Dabolim airport, and renewed re sistance to offshore casi nos. The opposition has signalled that it will use the floor of the House to corner the government on what it describes as policy deci sions favouring corporate and real estate interests. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said the ses sion must focus squarely on correcting what he termed structural distortions in governance. “The first and foremost ‘Kartavya’ of all legislators is to amend the TCP Act by scrapping Section 39A. Nothing could be a bet ter outcome of the budget session than removing this provision, which has giv en unguided powers for change of land use or zon ing resulting in rampant sale and alienation of land,” Alemao said.
Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act has emerged as a central flashpoint, with the opposition al leging that it facilitates the conversion of agricultural land. Protests in the St Andre constituency, including a six-day agitation demanding repeal of the provision and cancella tion of project approvals, have amplified the political pres sure. Alemao added that reckless real estate expansion, with out regard to the carrying capacity of villages, has led to demographic changes and increasing pressure on civic and public infrastructure. He said the opposition expects the Speaker to consider the multiple bills filed by MLAs for the protection of land and the environment and allow their in troduction in the House. Among the legislative proposals likely to draw atten tion is the Goa Protection of Agricultural Lands Bill, 2026, moved by Vijai Sardesai, president of the Goa Forward Par ty and MLA from Fatorda. The Bill seeks to curb rapid con version of agricultural land and safeguard the state’s green cover. A similar measure has also been introduced by the Indian National Congress, underlining broad political con cern over land-use changes. Sardesai made it clear that the opposition intends to mount a coordinated attack during the session. “Agitations are taking place across the state. This session will not be an easy one for the government,” he said. He also raised concerns about rising fuel prices amid tensions in the Middle East and criticised the government for spending Rs 74 crore on events. “These events are or ganised to divert attention from the core issues faced by the state,” Sardesai said. The future of Dabolim Airport is another issue likely to surface repeatedly. Venzy Viegas of the Aam Aadmi Party has alleged that South Goa’s only airport is at risk of being diverted for corporate interests, asserting that any such move would be strongly opposed and that efforts would continue to safeguard Dabolim as a lifeline for families in the region. The contentious question of offshore casinos is also ex pected to be raised, particularly amid public mobilisation in Panjim under the banner “Ponjekars Against Casinos,” following concerns over the induction of a new casino ves sel. Alemao said casinos, rising prices, unemployment, law and order concerns, and threats to forests and the environ ment would feature prominently in the opposition’s strat egy. “We have moved LAQs, calling attention motions and private member resolutions on these issues for discussion,” he said. Viegas, meanwhile, said he has submitted five Bills for consideration, including the Goa Protection of Agricultural Lands Bill, 2026; the Goa Public Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Goa, Daman and Diu Irrigation (Amend ment) Bill, 2026; the Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agri cultural Land (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and the Goa Mari time Board Act Bill, 2026. On the treasury benches, preparations are underway. The core committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party met at the party’s city office to deliberate on strategy ahead of the session. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he has consulted industry representatives and sought public suggestions ahead of presenting the Budget. “I will try to present a good Budget for the state,” he said. According to Assembly Joint Secretary Mohan Gaonkar, the session will also see substantial legislative business, with 656 starred questions and 2,108 unstarred questions admitted. Nineteen private members’ resolutions, 21 pri vate member Bills and three government Bills have been listed. However, beyond the numbers, the political tempera ture suggests a session defined less by routine legislative business and more by confrontation over land, livelihood and the state’s development trajectory. With protests spill ing onto the streets and multiple Bills seeking to recali brate land and environmental policy, the Budget Session is poised to become a battleground over the future course of governance in Goa.
