Goa Legislative Assembly

“Attention of the House is drawn as regards the apprehension in the minds of people as regards the recovery proceedings that have been initiated against economically weaker families under the Griha Aadhar Scheme and the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS), where both husband and wife had received benefits simultaneously, allegedly due to lack of awareness that only one member per household was eligible. The steps the Government has taken to review the financial condition of affected beneficiaries before initiating recovery, to propose to relax, waive the recovery in cases involving economically weaker sections where there is no proven fraudulent intent, to formulate a compassionate settlement mechanism that will be introduced for poor families and whether recovery proceedings will be kept in abeyance pending a humanitarian review of such cases”.

“Attention of the House is drawn as regards the apprehension in the minds of the Scheduled Tribe (ST), Community in our State, as regards the Government’s decision to intervene in the affairs of the Gomantak Gaud Maratha Samaj Association and United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) by appointing an Administrator. The Gomantak Maratha Samaj Association and United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA), has been a pillar of support and empowerment for the ST community, working to uplift and ensure their welfare. The steps the Government has taken to restore the situation for the benefits of the ST Community”.

“This House congratulates Shri Laxman Pai a prominent Goan Artist and well known Social worker being conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award in the hands of Hon. President of India.”

The Motion was adopted unanimously.

“This House congratulates Shri Mahabaleshwar Sail, a prominent Literaturist a renowned bi-lingual Writer (Konkani and Marathi) for getting this years prestigious National  Level Saraswati Sanmman Puraskar.”

“This House congratulates Shri Raju Nayak, a prominent journalist and editor of Lokamt-Goa for getting Acharya Atre Award for his contribution in the journalism thus encouraging the journalists and also inspiring a young generation to take up journalism with greater vigor.”

The Motion was adopted unanimously.

“This House congratulates the cast and crew of Konkani film “K Sera Sera” including Producer Raju and Gayatri Pednekar and Director Rajiv Shinde and also Marathi non feature Film “Aaba Aiktaay Naa? young Film Maker Aditya Jambale for being the best Director in non feature   category at 64^th National Film Awards thus bringing fame and glory to Goa.”

The Motion was adopted unanimously.

I call the attention of the Hon’ble Minister for Revenue and Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture to the grave injustice being caused to the farmers of Khanzanwada, Velling Village, Priol Constituency, who are being unlawfully denied access to their agricultural lands bearing Survey Nos. 68/1 to 74/2, which they have been cultivating for generations even before the Portugues era  and which now constitute their sole means of livelihood.
The said agricultural lands have become land-locked due to the obstruction and denial of access by the owner of the adjoining property, who has blocked the traditional pathway passing through Survey Nos. 68/1 to 74/1. This pathway has been continuously, openly, and peaceably used by the farmers since time immemorial and even after the introduction of survey records, without interruption or dispute.
It is respectfully submitted that the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, particularly Section 58 and allied provisions, explicitly recognises the right of owners and occupants of land-locked properties to obtain reasonable and lawful access through adjoining lands. The Code further empowers the Revenue Authorities to ensure that such access is provided so that agricultural lands are not rendered unproductive or unusable.
The obstruction of a long-standing and customary access pathway, especially when it is essential for agricultural operations, is contrary to the spirit and mandate of the Goa Land Revenue Code, which seeks to protect agricultural use, prevent land from becoming sterile, and safeguard the livelihood of farmers.
The access sought by the farmers is confined to barely 500 square metres, out of several lakhs of square metres of the adjoining land. Granting such access is reasonable, proportionate, and legally permissible, and would not cause any substantial prejudice to the landowner. On the other hand, denial of this minimal access has resulted in serious hardship, as farmers are unable to take tractors and modern agricultural machinery to their fields, are forced to rely on outdated manual methods, suffer loss of productivity, and face increasing economic distress.
The continued denial of lawful access has created fear, insecurity, and uncertainty among the farming community, who now face the real and imminent threat of losing their ancestral occupation and livelihood due to the effective land-locking of their agricultural holdings.

I therefore request the Hon’ble Minister for Revenue and Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture to state:
1. Whether the Government acknowledges that the agricultural lands bearing Survey Nos. 68/1 to 74/2 are land-locked and that providing access is mandatory under Section 58 and allied provisions of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968;
2. Whether the Government will direct the concerned Revenue Authorities to restore and protect the traditional access pathway used by the farmers in accordance with law; and
3. The immediate steps proposed to ensure justice to the affected farmers, uphold statutory protections under the Goa Land Revenue Code, and prevent the loss of agricultural livelihood in the said area.
Given the magnitude of the suffering of innocent farmers, this issue warrants immediate attention and time-bound action.

I wish to draw the attention of this august House to the serious difficulties being faced by beneficiaries of Economically Weaker/Essential Housing Needs (EHN) houses allotted across various parts of  the State of Goa.
It is a matter of grave concern that several EHN houses, though already allotted and occupied, are still without basic amenities such as potable drinking water connections and electricity supply connections. The beneficiaries, who belong to economically weaker sections, are forced to live under extremely difficult and inhuman conditions.
Despite repeated application / representations, files related to water and electricity connections to their concerned houses are pending for long periods with the both the Government Departments, leading to unnecessary hardship and delay. The lack of coordination by the concerned Departments are causing avoidable suffering to poor families.
I request both the Hon’ble Minister for Public Works and Minister for Power to kindly intervene immediately, ensure time-bound clearance of pending files, and direct the concerned officers of the departments to provide basic civic amenities without further delay to all EHN housing beneficiaries.
This issue requires urgent attention in the interest of social justice and human dignity in public interest.

“The attention of the House is drawn as regards the concerns of the Goans as regards the financial irregularity of Samruddha Jeevan Foods India Ltd, wherein a substantial number of Goans citizens have been cheated of their hard-earned savings through fraudulent deposits and investment schemes. The measures the Government has undertaken to take punitive action as regards the arrests made, if any, status of investigation, properties/assets attached in Goa, whether competent authority or Nodal Officer is appointed, the quantum of compensation to the victims and the steps taken by Goa Government similar to the action taken up by the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act to ensure refunds to Goan investors”.

Respected Speaker Sir,

I seek your permission to raise the following matter of urgent public importance during Zero Hour:

For the past several years, the revered Maya Kelbai Panchayatan Devasthan of Mayem, Bicholim, has been at the center of a prolonged mahajanship dispute. This sacred temple, deeply significant to the people of Mayem and devotees across Goa, has frequently witnessed ritual restrictions, festival suspensions, and even temporary closure, following clashes between community factions.

While the Mamlatdar’s interventions and police deployment have helped maintain order temporarily, devotees and villagers continue to suffer due to:

• Inconsistent access to temple rituals and pujas, especially during important jatra festivals;
• Lack of a stable, court-acknowledged managing committee to oversee temple affairs;
• Devotee concerns over misuse of donations and absence of financial transparency;
• Continued delay in implementing High Court and Supreme Court-backed mahajan lists;
• Loss of religious and cultural continuity due to suspension of age-old traditions.

In April 2023 and again in 2024, the temple had to be closed or rituals suspended under Mamlatdar orders due to fear of violence. While these orders aim at law and order, they also deny devotees their religious rights.

I therefore urge the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Minister for Revenue to:

1. Facilitate court-compliant and inclusive mahajan elections, without undue delay;
2. Establish a neutral administrator or receiver under existing or amended Devasthan Regulations to manage the temple until disputes are judicially resolved;
3. Ensure uninterrupted rituals and public access to the temple, under priestly guidance;
4. Create a joint dialogue platform involving all stakeholder communities to find long-term consensus;
5. Consider tabling the pending Devasthan law amendments, with safeguards for harmony and religious freedom.

This is not just an administrative issue—it is about protecting the spiritual and cultural fabric of Mayem and the rights of all Goans to access their places of worship without fear, conflict, or exclusion.

I request that this House take serious cognizance of the matter and that the government inform this Assembly of concrete steps being taken to restore normalcy at Maya Kelbai Devasthan.