Opposition Leaders Urge Goa Governor to Convene Special Assembly Session
A delegation of opposition leaders met Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju at Lok Bhavan on Thursday, pressing for urgent legislative action on a contentious land provision. The leaders urged the governor to convene a special session of the state assembly to discuss and debate the scrapping of Section 39A, a provision they argue facilitates the conversion of agricultural land.
Delegation Demands Withdrawal of Section 39A
The delegation, which included opposition leader Yuri Alemao, AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, and AAP state president Valmiki Naik, called for the complete withdrawal of Section 39A. They also advocated for the passage of the Agricultural Land Protection Bill, a draft legislation prepared by retired Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Ferdino Rebello. This bill aims to safeguard agricultural land from unauthorized conversions.
Urgency Due to Health Concerns
Alemao emphasized the urgency of the matter, citing the worsening health of their colleague, Viresh Borkar, who is on an agitation over the issue. While the budget assembly session is scheduled to begin on March 6, Alemao argued that Borkar's condition makes the situation too critical to wait. "The governor has the right to exercise the power to convene or summon a session. In view of the deteriorating health of our colleague Borkar, this needs to be discussed and debated urgently," Alemao stated.
Viegas reported that Governor Raju acknowledged the gravity of the situation, particularly concerning Borkar's health. "He acknowledges that a man's life is precious and that a person cannot die. It is now the Governor's decision to tell the government," Viegas told reporters after the meeting.
Controversy Over Missing Files
The delegation also addressed the controversy surrounding allegedly missing files from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department. Alemao dismissed the government's claims, accusing it of making hollow statements. "If files went missing or they did not go missing, that has to come out the next day of the protest and not after several days of the agitation. There is a big question over this," he said, adding that the opposition would continue its efforts for Goa.
Naik expressed skepticism about protestors stealing government files. "We have heard of files going missing very often, and it is often the government itself that makes files go missing. Have you ever heard of citizens robbing files from a government department? Let them tell us which file is missing," the AAP state president remarked.
The opposition's push for a special session highlights growing tensions over land use policies in Goa, with health concerns adding immediacy to their demands for legislative review and action.
