South Goa Member of Parliament Captain Viriato Fernandes on Friday introduced in Parliament a private member bill seeking Special Status for the State of Goa.
The Bill seeks to provide a constitutional framework for the Central Government to collaborate with the State of Goa in addressing concerns of the people of Goa.
The Bill aims to Preserve Goan Identity by promoting its language, arts, and cultural traditions like Tiatr, Fugdi, Dhalo, Dekne, etc., and safeguarding the soul of this land that Goans hold dear.
The bill further seeks to protect Historical Heritage through focused conservation efforts for its unique architectural and historical sites, echoing the resilience of Goa’s past and to safeguard the environment and Land by enabling restrictions on land alienation in sensitive areas, promoting sustainable development, and protecting traditional livelihoods that sustain the heartbeat of Goan life.
The Bill further seeks to ensure demographic Stability by encouraging policies that maintain the sociocultural balance of the State, preserving the harmony that defines its people and establish a Goa Sustainable Developmental Council to provide expert guidance and facilitate coordinated action, ensuring a united stand to protect Goa’s future.
Captain Viriato further pointed out that the Bill seeks to uphold the Rights of Goan Communities by ensuring that the People of Goan origin have enduring rights over education, land use, ecological resources, and economic opportunities, protected in perpetuity”a promise to honour their legacy.
“It further seeks to protect Ecologically Sensitive Areas to ensure that all eco-sensitive zones, no-development zones, forest land (both public and private), marine eco-sensitive areas, orchard land, plateaus, aquifers, low-lying agricultural fields, eco-sensitive khazans, mangroves, and areas under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) are protected and preserved, safeguarding the very essence of Goa’s environment that its people fight to defend”, he said.
He added: “There is an urgent need to protect Goa’s limited natural and cultural resources from the impacts of unplanned and unsustainable development that threatens to erode its long-term ecological and social fabric. The enactment of this Bill will enable the State of Goa to maintain its unique character while pursuing sustainable development, thereby safeguarding its legacy for future generations”.
The South Goa MP said he is feeling proud on introducing a Private Members Bill akin to Special Status. “The Bill covers protection, preservation and sustainability of our unique cultural identity, rich heritage, our traditional communities, protection of rights of person of Goan origin, Konkani language, our folk songs and folk dances, protection of Goa’s fragile environment, etc”, Viriato added.
