The five-day winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly will commence on Monday (January 12) at 11.30 am and conclude on Janu ary 16, with five sittings scheduled during the ses sion. The opening day will feature the customary address by Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapa thi Raju. From the second day onwards, the House will take up government business, including dis cussions on key issues, passage of government bills and approval of sup plementary demands for grants. According to the Assem bly Secretariat, proceed ings on the first day will begin with the playing of the National Anthem, fol lowed by the Governor’s address. A copy of the ad dress will subsequently be laid on the Table of the House by the secretary The secretary will also report the Governor’s assent to several Bills passed earlier by the Assembly. These include the Goa Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2025; Goa Appropriation (No. 4) Bill, 2025; Goa (Recovery of Arrears of Tax, Interest, Penalty and Other Dues through Settlement) (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Indian Stamp (Goa Amendment) Bill, 2025; Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Goa Legislative Di ploma No. 2070 dated April 15, 1961 (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Other Bills that have received assent include the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Construction (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Goa Suits Valu ation Bill, 2025; Goa Animal Breeding and Domestication (Regulation and Compensation) Bill, 2025; Goa Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Goa Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2025; Goa Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2025; City of Panaji Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Goa Tax on Infrastructure (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Goa Municipalities (Amend ment) Bill, 2025; Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Goa Hoardings (Regulation and Control) Bill, 2025; and the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Chief Minister PramodSawant will also present the First Report (2026) of the Business Advisory Committee and move a resolution seeking the House’s approval of the report. January 16 has been earmarked as Private Members’ Resolution Day, during which five private members’ resolutions are scheduled to be taken up for discussion. As many as 178 starred questions and 553 unstarred questions have been received by the Assembly for the session. Ahead of the session, opposition leaders outlined the issues they intend to raise. Fatorda MLA VijaiSardesai said, “What is happening in Goa is not nor mal. To rebuild Goa, there is a need to send some people home and bring in new faces.” Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said the Governor’s address should address serious concerns. “We expect the Governor to speak and provide answers on who is re sponsible for the loss of 25 innocent lives. What about the rising crime situation in Goa? The State is losing out on tourism, and crime is increas ing. Goa is fast gaining a reputation as a murder and rape capital. Where are we heading?” he asked. Benaulim MLA VenzyViegas said the Opposition would support the charter of 10 demands submitted by Justice Rebello. “We will raise issues related to the environment, people’s safety, law and order, among other concerns,” he said. Velim MLA Cruz Silva expressed concern over limited time for debate. “We effectively have only four days. It is unclear how much time will be allotted to raise issues or whether we will even be allowed to speak,” he said.
