PANAJI
Amid ruckus by the Opposition, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that the government is open to reviewing the provisions regarding the individuals born in the State in the interest of Goans.
Addressing the House, Sawant said that the Goa Succession, Special Notaries and Inventory Proceeding Act outlines specific provisions for individuals born in Goa and those born outside but governed by the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867 and so also the Official Gazette released in February 1995.
He said that the Act specifies persons who prior to the 20th day of December, 1961, were governed by the provisions of the Civil Code of 1867 as in force in erstwhile Portuguese regime over Goa and which continued in force, to the person born in Goa of parents who are governed by the provisions of the Civil Code of 1867, any person born outside the State of Goa of parents who were or are governed by the provisions of the said Civil Code of 1867 or rest of India, etc.
“Goa remains committed to reviewing and strengthening the existing provisions of The Goa Succession, Special Notaries and Inventory Proceeding Act in response to the emerging needs to challenge and uphold the interest of Goans,” Sawant told the House.
Sawant was responding to the Private Member Resolution moved by RGP MLA Viresh Borkar who urged that the House recommend the government that the terms ‘Goans’ and ‘Persons of Goan Origin’ be clearly defined in law to protect the identity and rights of Goan people. In doing so, a proper policy can be framed to benefit Goan people and prevent demographic change in the Goan landscape.” The resolution was, however, thrown out by the House.
The House witnessed uproar after Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar disallowed Opposition to continue discussion on the Resolution. The opposition led by Opposition leader Yuri Alemao rushed to the Well of the House. Alemao, in fact threw and tore the Official Gazette, which was protested by the ruling.
Borkar, was later marshelled out of the House over his consistent protest even after granting time to address his concerns. He demanded a high level committee be set up to protect the identity of Goa and Goans.
