Congress to challenge Goa's Bhumiputra Bill in court

Panaji: The Congress in Goa, on Tuesday upped its protest against the Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill 2021, a legislation which aims to regularise illegally constructed small dwellings, stating that the law, if enacted, would meet the same fate of similar legislations proposed by governments in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which are being heard by the Supreme Court. The Congress has also announced a massive rally in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's Assembly constituency of Sanquelim in protest against the law, which is currently awaiting the Governor's consent.

"In December 2020, the Supreme Court issued notices to all states with regards to a specific challenge in the apex court against the regularisation of illegal constructions in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh (and Telangana).

"The SC had directed the petitioner to implead all states and issued notice to all states, which means Goa has already been issued notice in that regard," former state Attorney General and Congress spokesperson Carlos Fereira told a press conference in Panaji.

Passed in the recently concluded Monsoon Session of the state Assembly amid an opposition walkout, the legislation which comes ahead of the state Assembly polls, promises to 'legalise' illegal constructions carried out by those who have lived in Goa for more than 30 years.