'Special Status Bill for Goa Introduced in Parliament'

Panaji : South Goa Member of Parliament Captain Viriato Fernandes has introduced a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament seeking Special Status for Goa. The Bill was presented during the recently concluded Winter Session and aims to provide constitutional safeguards for the State’s land, environment, cultural heritage and the rights of its people.

According to Fernandes, the proposal responds to growing concerns over rapid development, environmental stress and changes affecting Goa’s social and cultural fabric. He said the Bill intends to balance development with the protection of Goa’s distinct identity and ecological sensitivity.

The Bill has the backing of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC). Party general secretary Adv. Srinivas Khalap said the proposed legislation reflects a constitutional effort to ensure that development policies prioritise the interests of Goans, while remaining within the framework of the Constitution.

Goa, one of the country’s smallest States, is widely regarded as ecologically fragile and culturally unique. Issues such as land conversion, unplanned construction, environmental degradation and demographic pressures have been cited as reasons for seeking special constitutional provisions tailored to the State.

The Bill outlines several key proposals:

Goa Sustainable Development Council: A statutory body chaired by the Chief Minister, with representation from the Centre, Members of Parliament, experts and stakeholders, to guide development in a sustainable and balanced manner.
Cultural Protection: Legal safeguards for Goa’s heritage, traditional architecture, art forms and way of life.
Environmental and Land Safeguards: Stricter regulation of development in eco-sensitive areas and enhanced protection for rivers, forests, beaches, hills, agricultural land and traditional ecosystems.
Safeguards for Traditional Communities: Special measures for fishermen, farmers, tribals, artisans and other traditional occupations to protect livelihoods, land rights and access to education.
Demographic Balance: Policy provisions aimed at addressing demographic concerns, while adhering to constitutional limits.
Language Promotion: Protection and promotion of Konkani in both Devanagari and Roman scripts, along with recognition of Marathi for its historical and cultural role in the State.
Special Environmental Powers: Provisions allowing intervention by constitutional authorities when development poses risks to eco-sensitive zones.
Definition of ‘Goan of Goan Origin’: A legal definition based on historical and legal criteria to safeguard rights related to land, culture and identity.