Opposition’s call for retrospective implementation rejected
Panaji : Amid calls from the Opposition to apply the amendment bill retroactively, the state government on Friday passed the Goa legislative Diploma No 2070 (amendment) bill, 2025, which empowers the comunidade administrator to reclaim land if it is used for purposes other than those initially approved by the government.
The bill, introduced by Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate, empowers the comunidade administrator to initiate the reversion of any land granted or conveyed for a specific purpose or utilised the said land for purpose other than those originally specified.
Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira moved an amendment proposing that the land given by a comunidade be further protected from converting to purpose other than it was given. However, this amendment was rejected by the ruling benches, with 30 votes against and seven in favour.
In response to the passing of the bill, Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai demanded that the provisions be applied retroactively, warning that the amendment would not achieve its intended purpose if it were not applied from a previous date.
Sardesai also criticised the Revenue Minister and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for dismissing Opposition suggestions, alleging that the amendment bill was introduced solely to protect the controversial Zuari land deal. The assembly also passed the Goa provision of water supply (amendment) bill, 2025, the Goa clinical establishments (registration and regulation) (amendment) bill, 2025, the Goa goods and services tax (amendment) bill, 2025, and the Goa value added tax (amendment) bill, 2025.
The government withdrew the Goa media persons and media institutions (prevention of violence and damage or loss to property) bill, 2022, which was moved by the Chief Minister.
The legislative assembly also passed the Goa appropriation bill 2025, approving supplementary demands amounting to Rs 1,039.42 crore.
During his address on the bill in the state assembly on Friday, the Chief Minister highlighted the state’s robust financial position, stating that despite a borrowing limit of Rs 4,500 crore, the government has only borrowed Rs 1,050 crore for the current fiscal year.
This, he said, reflects the state’s financial health.
Sawant also informed that the government has received Rs 1,185 crore in central funds, with an additional Rs 300 crore, ensuring minimal pressure on the state’s treasury.
In terms of financial health, Goa ranks third in the NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index, Sawant added, assuring that no further loans would be taken in the current financial year.
He further mentioned that the government has utilised 82.6 per cent of the central funds allocated for the year 2023-24 and 81.7 per cent for the current fiscal year.
Sawant justified the supplementary demand of Rs 1,039.42 crore, stating that the funds would be used for capital expenditure on initiatives such as the Griha Aadhar scheme and other welfare programmes.
The Chief Minister also revealed that the Justice VK Jadhav Commission report on land grabbing will be presented to the House in the next session.
Additionally, he reiterated that the Konkani language paper, worth 10 marks, would be made mandatory for recruitment under the Goa Staff Selection Commission to ensure more employment opportunities for Goans in the government.
