Times of India | 1 week ago | 19-01-2023 | 11:38 am
PORVORIM: Amid strong demands from opposition MLAs seeking its withdrawal, the state assembly passed the Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, paving the way for the election of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons by show of hands. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that if the government withdraws the Bill, he assured not to pull down the Margao Municipal Council. “Let the Bill be referred to a select committee. We will not allow this Bill to pass in assembly. If the Bill is passed then it would be a murder of democracy and local self-governing bodies,” Sardesai said.Sardesai said that if the Bill is passed then it would cause irreparable damage to democracy in Goa. Urging the government not to pass the Bill for the benefit of Margao MLA Digambar Kamat who recently joined BJP, Sardesai said, “When he can speak to God, why should the government change the law? Tell him to speak to God,” Sardesai said.Opposition leader Yuri Alemao said that the Bill is like a virus, and it will spread all over. “Withdraw the Bill as it will kill freedom of speech and right to secrecy,” he said.While speaking at the passing of the Bill, urban development minister Vishwajit Rane mentioned Congress and Bofors, prompting Alemao to rush to the well of the House demanding the speaker to expunge both the words. While the opposition was demanding a division of vote while passing the Bill, speaker Ramesh Tawadkar placed the Bill before the House, which was subsequently passed with a voice vote.The assembly also passed the Goa Private Universities (Amendment) Bill 2023 for effective and smooth implementation of the Goa Private Universities Act 2020 within the state. The Bill allows universities to lease a land instead of owning the same and reduction is fees. The state government also passed the Goa Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2023 empowering BDOs to hear appeals.
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