Goa Legislative Assembly

“This House unanimously resolves to urge the Government to take immediate steps to regulate the lifts and escalators in the State of Goa. Lifts, escalators are being used in residential and commercial premises Open lifts are used during the construction phase of various buildings and it is not being regulated by any Department of the Government of Goa. Fire and Emergency Services Department may be made the Nodal Department for issuance of compulsory prior permission to install such lifts and escalators in the State with immediate effect.”

“Attention of the House is drawn to firstly place on record the Government’s appreciation for the successful implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway in the State, which has significantly contributed to improving the accuracy and credibility of the voter list. While the SIR is a commendable step, the attention of the House is drawn to the continuing issue of names of deceased persons remaining on the electoral rolls for extended periods.Despite deaths being duly registered with Government authorities, the corresponding deletions from the electoral roll are often delayed or not initiated, which affects electoral integrity and creates scope for misuse. At present, deletion requires a separate application under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. It is submitted that the Government may consider instituting a simplified, mandatory, and time-bound mechanism whereby issuance of a death certificate triggers facilitation of deletion of the deceased person’s name from the electoral roll through Form 7 or its digital equivalent. A formal forwarding and tracking system be put in place to ensure transmission to Election authorities and completion of deletion within a defined timeline, with due acknowledgment to the families, examine and implement such statutory or administrative measures, in coordination with the Election authorities, to sustain and build upon the gains achieved through the SIR process. The steps the Government intends to take in this regard.”

“Attention of the House is drawn to the urgent matter concerning severe livelihood disruption among Goan transporters at the Mormugao Port and its adverse impact on the State's economy. There is widespread financial distress among local transporters, many of whom now have idle trucks and uncertain future due to warding of transportation contracts to outsiders at the Mormugao Port. Transporters businesses support many livelihoods, including drivers, cleaners, puncture‑shop owners and mechanics. If this continues, Goan businesses will collapse. The steps the Government intends to take in this regard.”

“Attention of the House is drawn as regards the growing concerns of the people regarding the activities of some of the recruitment agencies in the State of Goa, particularly those involved in facilitating overseas employment of our citizens. Some of these agencies are allegedly engaging in charging exorbitant fees, providing misleading information about job offers, and failing to fulfill contractual agreements with the workers. The steps the Government has taken to monitor and regulate these agencies.

“Attention of the House is drawn on the plight of the people of Mormugao Constituency due to irregular PWD water supply for many days, due to which people are facing a lot of hardship and inconvenience. Sometimes there is no water for continuously for 3-4 days. At times there is water for just one or two hours, but with low pressure as a result, people residing at the higher altitude do not get water at all. The steps Government intends to take in this regard.”

“Attention of the House is drawn to the plight of the people of Chimbel Village in St. Cruz Constituency as the traditional Ganpati Visarjan ‘Tali’ has been illegally filled causing panic in the village.” The plan of the Government to resolve the same.”

The attention of the House is drawn to the grave plight of the residents of the Mormugao Constituency who have recently been served show-cause notices one after the another for eviction by the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA). This sudden action has caused severe distress, uncertainty, and anxiety among the affected residents, particularly senior citizens, many of whom have been peacefully residing on these lands for several decades.

It is pertinent to note that these residential structures were constructed much prior to 1972, and the occupants have been in uninterrupted possession of the said properties for generations. Despite this long-standing habitation, the Mormugao Port Authority, formerly known as the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), after taking over these lands from the State Government, is now claiming ownership and has initiated eviction proceedings against these residents. Further there are also religious structure like Temples and Churches on these lands which are equally facing eviction and demolition threat, which will certainly cause unrest in the locality.  

Instead of recognising and granting lawful rights to the long-settled occupants, the actions of the MPA appear to be aimed at displacing them, thereby subjecting innocent families to undue mental trauma and hardship. Such forced measures not only threaten the livelihood and shelter of these residents but also undermine the spirit and objectives of the Government of Goa’s flagship housing initiative, Mhaje Ghar Yojana, which seeks to provide housing security and dignity to the people of the State.

In view of the above it is requested to clarify the steps it proposes to take to protect the rights of these long-settled residents, to prevent their unjust displacement, and to ensure that their legitimate claims to housing security are safeguarded. Steps the Government intend to take in this regards

The attention of the House is drawn to the serious concerns being raised by the people of Goa, particularly residents of Mormugao Taluka, regarding the sharp and unprecedented increase in the newly revised Minimum Land Rates. The revised rates are excessive, unreasonable, and unfair, and are having a severe adverse impact on the common man. The new rates have been increased in the range of 597% to as high as 2857% in various areas of Mormugao Taluka. Such steep hikes have placed land ownership far beyond the reach of ordinary citizens, making it extremely difficult for them to purchase land and simultaneously bear the substantially increased stamp duty and registration charges. Further, the revised rates have significant tax implications for both sellers and buyers, thereby imposing an additional and heavy financial burden on all parties involved. In view of the above, the Government may kindly state the steps it proposes to take to review, rationalize, or roll back these excessive increases in order to protect the interests of the common man and ensure fairness and affordability in land transactions. Steps the Government intend to take in this regards.

Attention of the House is drawn to the grave and unacceptable situation faced by the residents of Mormugao due to the reckless handling of bauxite cargo at the Mormugao Port by Delta Port Mormugao Terminal Private Limited. The handling of this dirty cargo for M/s. Hindalco, Belgaum  has resulted in widespread air and dust pollution, directly endangering the health of people living in Desterro, Baina, Bogda, Jetty, Rumdawada, Headland Sada, and surrounding areas. Fine bauxite dust is reportedly spreading into homes, schools, public spaces, and streets, contaminating the environment and exposing residents to serious respiratory and other health hazards. In just under a month, approximately 2,29,304 MT of bauxite has been openly handled at Berth No. 10 & 11, stacked without any water sprinklers or dust mitigation measures, and transported via road to Belgaum, causing severe air pollution along the route. Despite repeated complaints from citizens, the authorities and the company have failed to take adequate action, showing a blatant disregard for public health and environmental laws. Steps the Government intend to take in this regard.

Attention of the house is drawn to the serious plight of local taxi operators at Dabolim Airport due to the alleged illegal operation of pre-paid taxis counter operated by Taj India Tours. It is reported that the Taj Taxi Counter operated through their proprietor Mr. Ranbir Singh signed agreement with the local taxi operators for engaging their taxis and charged them of Rs. 1 lakh per operators and failed to fulfil the contractual agreement by not using their taxies and not returning their money, thereby cheating, committing fraud and criminal breach of trust. It is also reported that the said entity now operates its own fleet of taxis at the airport, thereby depriving local residents and duly registered taxi operators of their legitimate livelihood. It is further alleged that the drivers engaged by this operator are from outside state and do not possess valid taxi license/badges and do not have Police Clearance Certificates. Additionally, it is alleged that approved and notified fare structures are not being followed, resulting in tourists being charged exorbitant and arbitrary fares, which also tarnishes the image of the State. Steps the Government intends to take in this regards

Attention of the House is drawn to the concerns raised by the residents of Mormugao Constituency regarding the frequent overflowing of sewerage through the sewer line and chambers, which poses serious health and environmental risks. Certain areas within the constituency, including those near Busy Bee School, GRB Colony, Headland Sada, Bogda areas, Ward No. 9, etc. experience these incidents regularly, causing significant distress to the people. Immediate attention and remedial measures are requested to address this recurring issue. Steps the government intends to take in this regard.

AMENDMENTS TO THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE ADDRESS OF THE GOVERNOR

AMENDMENTS TO THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE ADDRESS OF THE GOVERNOR