PANAJI
The Revolutionary Goans Party’s ambitious Person of Goan Origin (POGO) bill was not allowed to be tabled in Assembly on grounds that the bill was not within the framework of the Constitution.
A Law Department report was tabled in the Assembly to support the claim that the POGO bill, which was presented by RG MLA Viresh Borkar, was in violation of the Constitution of India.
The Speaker had sent the bill for opinion to the AG and the law department.
"We are concerned about Goans, but the State and country works under the Constitution. While considering the POGO bill, we have to consider the Constitution of India Articles 14, 15, 16 and 19,” said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
“We have to consider that in the 1955, of the 70 freedom fighters who were martyred at the Goa boarder, 30 were from different parts of our country. We are honouring this freedom fighters on August 15,” said Sawant.
“Don't divide in the name of POGO,” said CM.
He said after the Liberation of Goa, then CM Bhausaheb Bandodkar allowed many teachers from Maharashtra to come to Goa.
“In WRD and PWD, many engineers from south India were recruited. After that, the government felt a need for doing something for Goans and made 15 years domicile compulsory for government jobs.”
"Whenever necessary, we have made appropriate laws. Recently, Law Minister Nilesh Cabral has brought a law for change in names. We are concerned about Goans and that is reason we have brought the law,” said Sawant.
Not satisfied with the replies, RG MLA Viresh Borkar challenged the chief minister to show which section of the POGO bill had violated the Constitution.
“We have to safeguard Goans. Even then CM late Manohar Parrikar has expressed fear that in 2022, Goans will be marginalised in their own land.”
Why are Goans still living in rented houses, why are so many Goans jobless,” asked Borkar.
“The government has not defined who is Goan. Anyone takes domicile and gets in government service. We have to protect our land, jobs and business.”
“This time, the bill is not tabled but the next time it has to be tabled. We will not keep quiet till the bill is passed,” added Borkar.
Law Minister Nilesh Cabral came out in support of the chief minister.
He said the law department had already given a negative comment on the issue.
Tabling the law department report, Cabral said the new MLAs are bringing in bills without studying laws.
Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardesai came out in support of the POGO bill.
“The Bhumiputra Adhikaarini bill was placed by the government bypassing the suggestion of the law department,” said Sardesai.
Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lorenco said he had tried to bring in the same bill in the last assembly and it was rejected as it was in violation of the Constitution.
