MARGAO
Salcete countryside on Sunday opposed the controversial Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill 2021 with the gram sabhas unanimously adopting resolutions demanding the scrapping of the bill in toto.
The issue figured prominently at the gram sabhas of Carmona, Guirdolim and Colva on Sunday as the members in one voice opposed the bill, terming it as anti-Goan and that it benefits the migrants.
The Bhumiputra Bill came up for discussion at the Carmona gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Allwyn Jorge. After discussions, the members unitedly resolved to oppose the bill and decided to write to the government to immediately scrap the bill for being anti-Goan and for not referring the bill to a select committee.
The issue also figured at the coastal village of Colva. At the meeting chaired by Johnson Coelho, members unanimously adopted a resolution demanding scrapping of the Bhumiputra Bill. The panchayat explained it had adopted a resolution objecting to the bill.
After much discussion, the gram sabha unanimously adopted a resolution demanding scrapping of the Bill.
The issue took centre stage at the Guirdolim gram sabha as well. Members questioned how the migrants could become sons of the soil after a few years of settling in the.
Pointing out that calling the migrants and the new settlers in the state as Bhumipurtra is an insult to the sons of the soil, gram sabha members vehemently objected to the Bill.
Gram sabha member Ana D’Costa demanded that comunidade land should be reserved for locals for their future requirements. She pointed out that the panchayat should ensure that the comunidade land is not given to outsiders and should be reserved for locals. “We want the comunidade land for the locals. Where will the locals go if they want to cultivate land. Our Goan people return home after working abroad. We should protect our land”, she said, while vehemently objecting to the controversial Bill.
Deputy sarpanch Brian Periera said the gram sabha has passed an unanimous resolution demanding scrapping of the Bhumiputra Bill. He said the panchayat had objected to the bill at the meeting held on August 15, saying the resolution passed on Sunday will be forwarded to the government by the panchayat body.
The Bhumiputra Bill had come under strong objections from gram sabhas across Salcete last Sunday.
