PORVORIM: Following objections from the opposition benches, chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday agreed to refer the amendment to the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Bill, 2020, to a select committee.
Sawant made the announcement after opposition members said the purpose of the amendments — an increase in jail term from 6 months to 3 years — was not clear.
“Why don’t you send it to a select committee? Increasing jail term for ESMA violations from six months to three years absolutely sends a wrong message to society,” said leader of opposition Digambar Kamat. “What is its purpose, I don’t know. How many persons arrested under the act till now were kept in jail even for ten days or a month? Even recently, those arrested for a bus strike were released within a night.”
Ponda MLA Ravi Naik said that if a government servant is kept in jail for three years for violation of ESMA, it is not clear whether or not their job would remain at the end of this period.
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said that sending the bill to a select committee will help understand the purpose of the amendments proposed in the bill. “Necessary laws like the Panchayat Act, etc, are not being passed. What is the purpose of pushing this bill first, and in such a hurry?” Khaunte asked.
The bill proposes amendments to Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act. The amendments are to increase the punishment provided in the sections to a three-year jail term and a minimum fine of Rs 5,000, for violating provisions of the ESMA Act.
The bill states that the amendment is “so as to have a deterrent effect and for the prevention of offences”. It also proposes an amendment to Section 9 of the principal act, making the offence cognisable and non-bailable.
Sawant made the announcement after opposition members said the purpose of the amendments — an increase in jail term from 6 months to 3 years — was not clear.
“Why don’t you send it to a select committee? Increasing jail term for ESMA violations from six months to three years absolutely sends a wrong message to society,” said leader of opposition Digambar Kamat. “What is its purpose, I don’t know. How many persons arrested under the act till now were kept in jail even for ten days or a month? Even recently, those arrested for a bus strike were released within a night.”
Ponda MLA Ravi Naik said that if a government servant is kept in jail for three years for violation of ESMA, it is not clear whether or not their job would remain at the end of this period.
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said that sending the bill to a select committee will help understand the purpose of the amendments proposed in the bill. “Necessary laws like the Panchayat Act, etc, are not being passed. What is the purpose of pushing this bill first, and in such a hurry?” Khaunte asked.
The bill proposes amendments to Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act. The amendments are to increase the punishment provided in the sections to a three-year jail term and a minimum fine of Rs 5,000, for violating provisions of the ESMA Act.
The bill states that the amendment is “so as to have a deterrent effect and for the prevention of offences”. It also proposes an amendment to Section 9 of the principal act, making the offence cognisable and non-bailable.
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