PANAJI
The nomenclature of a legislative bill cannot be altered in a bedroom and altering the name of the controversial legislation, the Bhumiputra Adhikarni Bill 2021, on Facebook by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is just not done, Congress spokesperson Carlos Ferreira said on Wednesday.
The former state attorney general, while addressing a press conference in Panaji, also said that the Chief Minister was trying to fool the people of Goa by claiming that the bill did not cover rented premises.
"Change of the name of a bill is a part of the bill. If you want to modify it, it has to be sent before the assembly. You cannot change it in the bedroom. He (CM) has changed it on Facebook," Ferreira said.
"He has called it the Bhumi Adhikarni bill now. Why is he not referring to it as the Bhumiputra Adhikarni bill? Why is he embarrassed? He should not get embarrassed now. He should keep it as it is and say the title will be changed," Ferreira.
The top lawyer's comment comes after the Chief Minister in a major turnaround said that the title of the controversial bill will be changed to the Bhumi Adhikarni bill 2021, after suggesting that the decision to alter the nomenclature was made in wake of adverse public reactions.
Ferreira also said that the Chief Minister's outreach on Tuesday, inviting suggestions from the public after the passing of the bill was a ridiculous approach.
"You are inviting suggestions after passing the bill?" Ferreira taunted.
He also said that Sawant's assurance that the bill in the present form does not cover rented premises was incorrect, challenging the Chief Minister's legal knowledge.
"Don't fool the people on law. Law is not your subject, don't speak about it... There are two qualifications to be a 'Bhumiputra.' One is 30 years residence anywhere in Goa and in occupation of a dwelling unit On April 1, 2019. According to that definition, you cannot say that this law does not pertain to rented premises," he said.
Ferreira also accused Sawant of trying to run away from the onus of pushing the bill hurriedly through the assembly, stating that even the late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was Sawant's predecessor, would have the propensity to take such an anti-Goan decision.
"Politics aside, even Manohar Parrikar could not have done such a thing to finish Goa," Ferreira said.
The lawyer also defended the Opposition's decision to walk out of the assembly before the passing of the bill, describing walkouts as a legitimate protest in a democratic system.
"Walkouts are part of a democratic system. (one can) protest by walking out, especially when you do not enjoy the numbers. The walking-out of all the united opposition is clearly a reflection of a protest to the passing of the bill," he said.
