Also propose breastfeeding support and law amendments
PANAJI
Ahead of the Assembly session beginning on Friday, Opposition MLAs have moved several private member Bills in the Goa Legislative Assembly seeking stronger protection for agricultural land, conservation of rivers and reservation of jobs for locals, among other measures.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, GFP chief Vijai Sardesai and AAP MLA Venzy Viegas have each moved the Goa Protection of Agricultural Lands Bill, 2026. The Bill was handed over to them by retired Justice Ferdino Rebello, who has launched a movement titled “Enough is Enough”.
The Goa Protection of Agricultural Lands Bill, 2026 aims to prevent the indiscriminate conversion of agricultural land and protect Goa’s farming sector, ecology and rural livelihoods. The proposed law seeks to strengthen safeguards against the unchecked reclassification of fields and orchards into settlement zones.
Sources said the Bill is currently being examined by three departments — Law, Agriculture, and Town and Country Planning. Alemao has also moved a Conservation of River Sal Bill and proposed amendments to the Goa Public Gambling Act. Meanwhile, Fatorda MLA Sardesai has introduced several additional private member Bills apart from the agricultural land protection legislation. These include the Goa Protection of Rivers Bill, 2026, the Goa State Employment of Local Candidates Bill, 2026, and the Goa Breastfeeding Promotion, Protection and Support Bill, 2026.
The Goa Protection of Rivers Bill, 2026 seeks to legally safeguard Goa’s rivers by creating conservation zones and regulating activities that harm river ecosystems. It proposes setting up a dedicated authority to prevent pollution, stop encroachments and ensure the long-term ecological health of the State’s rivers.
The Goa State Employment of Local Candidates Bill, 2026 proposes reserving 80 per cent of jobs in the private sector for qualified local residents of Goa. The aim is to ensure that industries and businesses in the State provide priority employment to Goan youth.
Another proposed law, the Goa Breastfeeding Promotion, Protection and Support Bill, 2026, seeks to promote and protect breastfeeding by requiring workplaces and public places to provide clean and dedicated spaces for nursing mothers.
AAP MLA Viegas has also submitted five private member Bills for the March Assembly session. These include the Goa Protection of Agricultural Lands Bill, 2026, the Goa Public Gambling (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Goa, Daman and Diu Irrigation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Goa Maritime Board Act Bill, 2026.
