Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate on Tuesday defended the legal provision allowing citizens to change their names, insisting the process is elaborate and well‑defined.
He said misuse by a few individuals should not be grounds to condemn the law and the process itself.
“There are genuine situations where change of name is necessary. Doing away with the law is not a solution,” Monserrate told reporters even as he stressed that the procedure involves multiple steps and safeguards, making it difficult to bypass.
The minister’s remarks come against the backdrop of growing suspicion that non‑Goans are exploiting the provision to adopt Goan‑sounding names which critics allege is being done to fraudulently inherit immovable properties and gain local benefits.
Concerns have been raised by civic groups and political leaders about loopholes in the system that could enable identity manipulation.
Monserrate acknowledged that some misuse exists but argued that the law serves legitimate needs as well, such as correcting errors in official records, accommodating cultural or personal reasons, and addressing situations arising from marriage or adoption.
He said the government cannot scrap the provision simply because of isolated cases of abuse.
