PANAJI
The House witnessed a heated discussion on illegal slums in Goa with St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar exposing the emergence of several illegal slums right under the nose of successive governments and authorities.
However, the motion was objected to by the ruling benches including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who raised a point of order stating it was an attempt to create differences between migrants and non-migrants.
Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar disallowed this Private Members Resolution despite the Opposition arguing that an admitted matter cannot be abruptly disallowed, also because it was already called out for discussion.
“The House unanimously recommends the government to demolish all the illegal slums/bastis/hutments/houses of migrants, which are set up by acquiring our comunidade land illegally in all parts of Goa,” was the resolution tabled by MLA Borkar as he also released a list of slums, one of which was renamed as Kargil.
Earlier during the discussion, legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco demanded the expunging of the word Kargil, which led to a one-to-one argument between the two legislators until the Speaker intervened. Lourenco asked the Revolutionary Goans party legislator to behave in the House.
St Cruz MLA Rudolf Fernandes also objected to fingers pointed at Indiranagar in Chimbel, stating that the slum has been in existence for over 45 years.
Borkar, who continued his discussion further alleged illegal encroachments by migrants even on comunidade land. "In Indiranagar, the slums are encroached and also illegally transferred to others," he added.
The legislator referred to a Supreme Court's order that called for the demolition of illegal slums in common areas and the restoration of the land thereafter. “But because of vote bank politics, there are objections. Currently, the situation in Goa is such that all departments are protecting it,” he charged.
Borkar also spoke about one Lala Ki Basti where illegal houses have increased from 35 to 350 over a period of time and even the high court directions have not been complied with for its demolition.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho objected to the MLA’s statements, urging him not to create divisions between migrants and non-migrants. “Does he (Borkar) want to create a rift in Goa, especially when the central government has come up with “one nation, one ration card” concept,” he questioned.
The Speaker disallowed the resolution. Unfazed by Borkar trying to disrupt the proceedings of the House, the session continued.
