Goa Government To Reintroduce Controversial Bill In Next Assembly Session

Goa Chief Minister had said last week that the bill provides for a mechanism to give ownership rights to dwellers of small housing units to enable them to live with dignity, self-respect and to exercise their right to life.

The Goa government on Tuesday agreed to reintroduce a controversial bill on "sons of the soil" in the next assembly session after the legislation in its present form drew flak from various quarters, including the Opposition. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in his address to the people of Goa, said considering the public sentiments, the "Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill" would be renamed as the "Bhumi Adhikarini Bill" and it would be reintroduced during the next assembly session to be held in the next two months. Last week, the Goa assembly passed the bill that provides a mechanism to grant the ownership rights to "bhumiputras" (sons of the soil) who are living in small housing units. The Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021, was passed in the 40-member House by voice vote on the last day of the session on Friday. In his video address, Mr Sawant said the bill would be kept open for suggestions from members of the public from August 4. "Valid suggestions would be considered by the government while reintroducing the bill," he said.