Panaji: Though Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced that the government will omit the word ‘Bhumiputra’ from the controversial Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021 and has already activated online service for inviting suggestions on the bill, this move of the government has already sparked a debate on whether it has the powers to take such a decision when a bill is passed in the state legislative assembly and it becomes the property of the House.

It may be noted that as announced by the Chief Minister on Tuesday evening, the government has activated goaonline.gov.in portal for inviting online suggestions on the controversial bill. Interestingly, the portal says that it is inviting suggestions on the Bhumi Adhikarini Bill that will give land rights to those deprived Goans who have been neglected for decades.

As per the rules of procedures and conduct of the business of the state legislative assembly, when a bill is passed by the House and is in possession of the House, it shall be signed in duplicate by the Speaker and presented to the Governor.

The rules further say that when a bill, which has been passed by the House is returned by the Governor for reconsideration, the point or points referred for reconsideration or the amendments recommended shall be put before the House by the Speaker and shall be discussed and voted up in the same manner as amended to a bill or in such other way as the Speaker may consider most convenient for consideration by the House.

It is learnt from reliable sources that the controversial Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021 was also not discussed in the cabinet and it was tabled in the House after obtaining the cabinet approval through circulation.

Even as there is a strong demand from various quarters to scrap the controversial Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021 in toto, it would be interesting to see the further stand of the BJP government as to whether it would remain firm on the bill or withdraw it.