Salcete panchayats urge govt to scrap Bhumiputra Bill

Team Herald

MARGAO: Several panchayats of Salcete at the special gram sabha meetings held on August 15 have sent a strong message to the government that the citizens will not accept the recently passed Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill-2021, and demanded to scrap it immediately. 

Camurlim, Chandor, Raia, Velim and Majorda-Utorda-Calata held their special gram sabha meetings on Sunday and unanimously resolved to oppose the Bill. 

Speaking to Herald, Basilio Fernandes informed that gram sabha members have strongly opposed the Bhumiputra Bill. “Panchayat body will be writing a letter to the governor not to sign Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill passed in the Assembly. Besides, we will be writing to the government to scrap the bill immediately”, he stated. Basilio said they have taken the advice from the legal experts with regard to the Bill. 

“We Goans are law-abiding citizens. However, it looks like the government is awarding the people who are breaking the laws by passing the Bhumiputra bill, instead of punishing them. We cannot tolerate such type of decisions of the government”, he stated. 

Chandor gram sabha meeting also resolved to oppose the bill stating that this will destroy the Goa and Goans. 

“This Bhumiputra Bill passed by the government is totally against the people and all the 40 MLAs should be blamed for this act. Citizens of Chandor are not ready to accept the bill”, said Edward Silva, sarpanch of Chandor panchayat. 

The issue pertaining to the safety of the women in Goa was also discussed wherein the members demanded that the government should focus on providing security to the women. 

The Bhumiputra Bill was also opposed by the members of Raia gram sabha. Xavier Fernandes, citizens moved the proposal to oppose the bill, stating it is totally against the original Goans. 

“Gram sabha has objected to the bill and demanded to scarp it immediately”, informed Minguelina D’Souza, sarpanch Raia panchayat. 

Besides, there are reports that many other panchayats bodies of Salcete have also opposed the Bill at the gram sabha meetings. 

Velim Village Panchayat also declared its firm opposition to the Bill.

Velim Sarpanch Savio D’Silva said, “the special gram sabha that was attended by six of the nine panchayat members reiterated its vociferous opposition to this Bhumiputra Bill 2021 with a resolution passed in this regard.”

Majorda-Utorda-Calata Village Panchayat also declared its firm opposition to the Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill 2021 as well as the Major Ports Act 2021.

Majorda Sarpanch Willy Agnelo Pereira said that a resolution was passed unanimously opposing the Bhumiputra Bill as well as the Major Ports Act. All nine panchayat members were present for this special gram sabha where the COVID warriors were felicitated and honoured by the villagers present.”