Goans shocked over govt move to amend law

The Congress government in Goa is attempting to change a century-old land law to benefit one close supporter, a prominent hotel.

Coming as it does after last year's controversial and severely opposed Goa Regional Plan, this new ordinance aims to circumvent a Supreme Court ruling. And once again, Goans are horrified at the blatant abuse of power.

"This ordinance, if true, is the most distressing, despicable and dangerous ordinance," said Dr Oscar Rebello, former convenor og Goa Bachao Abhiyan.

The ordinance is a way to get around the Supreme Court order in January that ordered illegal structures at the hotel to be demolished.

"The decision of the government sends wrong message by violating a SC order," said Aires Rodriges, a lawyer.

Last year, the Goa government had tried to push through the controversial Goa Regional Plan that sought to allow rampant construction on vacant land. But it had to back down after Goans protested.

"What has happened is the prostitution of state machinery for the benefit of a family," said Sorter D'Souza, a social activist for Panchayati Raj in Goa.

However, the Governor has to approve the ordinance before it becomes law. But according to Goans, the government has already gone too far with the proposal.

"The mining lobby has been financing various governments and this is payback time. But this time the government has gone too far," said Minguel Briganza, an environmentalist and writer.

"You cannot have an ordinance for the rich and another for the poor. If the court has decided something should go, it should go," said Sabina Martin, women's rights activist.

The controversial amendment proposed by the Goa government has surely led to a lot of anger by the people of Goa. Now, it remains to be seen how the government decided its future course of action.