Goa Legislative Assembly

“This House recommends the Government that the terms ‘Goans’ and ‘Persons of Goan Origin’ be clearly defined in law to protect the identity and rights of Goan people. In doing so, a proper policy can be framed to benefit Goan people and prevent demographic change in the Goan landscape.”

The following postponed Private Members’ Resolution which was originally slated for reply on 26.07.2024 is listed for reply on 7th February, 2025 in the Legislative Assembly:

“This House strongly recommends the Government that the salt pans, salt pan owners and cultivators be given additional support and financial assistance in order to revive, protect and most importantly save the age-old practice of traditional salt production and to make a special budget provision which will help in repair of bunds, dykes and sluice gates that are close to these salt pans.”

“This House recommends the Government for developing an employment policy where job security is ensured to contract staff employed in Government Departments and Corporations for more than 5 years.”

“This House strongly recommends the Government to approach the appropriate agency of the Central Government with a specific proposal for a one time special grant of about 5000 crores for the systematic revival, protection, promotion of Khazan lands in eight talukas, being age old agro ecological and agro-economic systems, which will help in creating self-sustainability of the State and will take care of unemployment issue and generate robust revenue in the State, since, a huge part of the State’s 18000 hectares ancient Khazan lands remain neglected mostly due to paucity of finances and to improve supportive infrastructure such as outer and inner embankments, sluice gates, creeks and backwaters, access roads, culverts, bridges, soil remediation, revival of plantation and irrigation. “

“Attention of the House is drawn to the most current issue in respect of diversion of Mhadei waters wherein the state of Karnataka has re-started preparations in full swing by procuring generators, pipelines and setting up a working unit at “Nerse” in Khanapur taluka to divert the Khalsa-Bhandura canal waters to Malprabha. As per reports from the Goa based environmentalists and activists, the Karnataka government is expecting a green signal from the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the National Wild Life Board. The Karnataka government is staying in full preparedness to commence work without any lag and delay from the date of approval. Steps that the government has taken to address this most critical issue and the pro-active measures proposed in this regard be placed before the House.

Reply to Calling Attention to postponed to 18/03/2026

“Attention of the House is drawn as regards the measures taken by the State as regards the rising Commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking, especially as regards women and children at International, National and the name of the State of Goa is repeatedly mentioned as regards the subject matter. The steps the Government has taken to eradicate this illegality.”

The reply to the calling attention was postponed and replied on 11/03/2026 

“Attention of the House is drawn as regards the concern of people and stakeholders such as Village Panchayats, industry associations, on the introduction of the Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) and Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) without any awareness, orientation and training in the working of the scheme and the equipments. Though the objectives are laudable as it is reduce the non- biodegradable waste and encourage responsible disposal of mainly alcohol and PET bottles, multi layered wrappers and milk cartons, the apprehension is that RVMs are turning into white elephants and gathering dust after installation without any proper awareness, orientation and training. The steps the Directorate of Panchayats will take to ensure that the scheme of RVMs and DRS will effectively operate at the ground level including making such arrangements mandatory in shopping malls and shopping departmental stores/marts”. 

The reply to the calling attention was postponed to next week and replied on 12/03/2026 

  “Attention of the House is drawn as regards the anxiety in the minds of unemployed youth and job seekers in the State following repeated reports of large-scale job recruitment irregularities cases, wherein it has been alleged that some job aspirants  have been induced to part with money on assurances of employment in Government Departments. The steps the Government has taken in the matter in terms of pro active steps to eradicate these irregularities and the punitive action taken against the offenders.

“Attention of the House is drawn as regards the degradation of tourism in Goa with events like Kamastura Christmas to Neo Tantra secret parties to be held in Arambol on 18th and 19th January 2026. The steps taken by the Government to promote pure spiritual tourism and zero tolerance to such events  and reinvent the goals of quality tourism and to have a healthy economic growth in tourism”.

Attention of the Government is drawn to a disturbing news item published in yesterday March 11 issue of The Navhind Times reporting that untrained and unqualified persons are increasingly performing cosmetic and dermatological procedures such as laser treatments, fillers, chemical peels and hair transplants in beauty parlours and unregulated clinics across Goa.

Doctors of the Goa branch of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists have warned that such procedures, when carried out by unqualified persons, can lead to serious infections including hepatitis B and hepatitis C, permanent skin damage and other life-threatening complications. The misuse of steroid creams and potent medicines without proper prescription is also becoming common.

This alarming trend poses a serious risk to public health, particularly to young people who are attracted by aggressive advertising of cosmetic treatments without being aware of the dangers involved.

The people of Goa expect the Government to immediately conduct inspections of beauty parlours and cosmetic clinics, strictly enforce medical and pharmacy regulations, and take strong action against unqualified practitioners performing dermatological procedures so that such dangerous practices are stopped without delay.

Fear and anxiety in the minds of devotees and residents of Talaulim and Goa Velha over the absence of official recognition to the traditional Tovxyache Fest or Festival of Cucumbers celebrated annually at St. Anne Church, Talaulim.

Whereas the festival attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors every year and represents a unique blend of agrarian traditions, devotional practices and cultural heritage associated with the historic St. Anne Church; and whereas despite its popularity and long-standing tradition the festival has not yet been granted official recognition through a Government Gazette notification as a State cultural festival.

Therefore, the attention of the Government is called to the matter and the Government may state whether steps will be taken to grant official recognition and support to the Tovxyache Fest as a State festival.

Attention of the House is drawn to the fact that the Big B Casino has been sealed by the Government. It has come to light that the said casino has defaulted on payments to several local and tribal vendors, particularly M/s Gokuldas Kunkalkar Vegetables & Fruits, whose dues amount to ₹13,57,410/-. Apart from this, payments to other local businesses are also pending which amount to a total of 1.5 Crores. Furthermore, the salaries, PF contributions, and other settlements of more than 200 staff members remain unpaid. The steps the Government intends to take in this regard.

I wish to draw attention of this House a disturbing incident that recently occurred in Karapur in Bicholim, where a leopard reportedly came onto the road and caused an accident involving two persons travelling on a scooter. The victims sustained injuries and the incident has created fear and anxiety among residents of the surrounding villages.

This incident highlights a growing and serious concern regarding the increasing movement of wildlife, particularly leopards, into human settlements in several parts of Goa. Such encounters are becoming more frequent in villages located near forested areas.

There is a strong apprehension among local residents that large-scale construction activities, infrastructure projects, road widening works, and other development projects taking place in and around forested belts are disturbing natural habitats and wildlife corridors. As a result, animals are increasingly being forced to move into settlement areas in search of food and shelter, creating dangerous situations for both people and wildlife.

Therefore, I urge the Government to investigate the incident, assess the impact of ongoing projects on wildlife corridors, and take necessary measures to prevent such human–wildlife conflicts and ensure the safety of both residents and wildlife.

I would like to draw the attention of the House to the delay in the commencement of the new block at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Bambolim. 

IPHB is the only specialized institution providing mental healthcare services in Goa and caters to a large number of patients from across the State. The construction of the new block was undertaken to expand facilities, increase bed capacity, and improve treatment and counselling services.

However, despite the infrastructure being developed, the commencement of services in the new block has been delayed, resulting in continued pressure on the existing facilities and inconvenience to patients and their families.

I urge the Government to clarify the reasons for the delay and provide a definite timeline for making the new IPHB block operational at the earliest in the interest of strengthening mental healthcare services in Goa.

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

The following Cut Motions to Demand No. 13 – Transport, Demand No. 19 – Industries, Trade & Commerce and Demand No. 31 – Panchayats, have been received from the Member as shown below against the respective Demands, which are fixed for discussion on the 12th March, 2026

The following Cut Motions to Demand No. 47 – Goa Medical College, Demand No. 48 – Health Services, Demand No. 49 – Institute of Psychiatry & Human Behaviour, Demand No. 51 – Goa Dental College, Demand No. 53 – Food & Drug Administration, Demand No. 54 – Town & Country Planning, Demand No. 55 – Municipal Administration, Demand No. 58 – Women & Child Development and Demand No. 68 – Forest have been received from the Member as shown below against the respective Demands, which are fixed for discussion on the 11th March, 2026.

The following Cut Motions to Demand No. 71 – Co-operation and Demand No. 74 – Water Resources, have been received from the Member as shown below against the respective Demands, which are fixed for discussion on the 7^th August, 2025.

The following Cut Motions to Demand No. 34 – School Education, Demand No. 35 – Higher Education, Demand No. 36 – Technical Education, Demand No. 37 – Government Polytechnic, Panaji, Demand No. 38 – Government Polytechnic, Bicholim, Demand No. 39 – Government Polytechnic, Curchorem, Demand No. 40 – Goa College of Engineering, Demand No. 41 – Goa Architecture College, Demand No. 44 – Goa College of Art, Demand No. 46 – Museum, Demand No. 50 – Goa College of Pharmacy, Demand No. 63 – Rajya Sainik Board, Demand No. 73 – State Election Commission, Demand No. 75 – Planning, Statistics & Evaluation, Demand No. 80 – Legal Metrology, Demand No. 81 – Department of Tribal Welfare, Demand No. 83 – Mines, Demand No. 84 – Civil Aviation and Demand No. 88 – Department of Public Private Partnership, have been received from the Member as shown below against the respective Demands, which are fixed for discussion on the 6th August, 2025.

The following Cut Motions to Demand No. 2 – General Administration & Coordination, Demand No. 5 – Prosecution, Demand No. 6 – Election Office, Demand No. 8 – Treasury & Accounts Administration, North Goa, Demand No. 9 – Treasury & Accounts Administration, South Goa, Demand No. 11 – Excise, Demand No. 12 –  Commercial Taxes, Demand No. 14 – Goa Sadan, Demand No. 17 – Police, Demand No. 18 – Jails, Demand No. 21 – Public Works, Demand No. 22 – Vigilance, Demand No. 23 – Home, Demand No. 25 – Home Guards & Civil Defence, Demand No. 26 – Fire & Emergency Services, Demand No. 27 – Official Language, Demand No. 29 – Public Grievances, Demand No. 30 – Small Savings & Lotteries, Demand No. 32 – Finance, Demand No.  42 – Sports & Youth Affairs, Demand No. 43 – Art & Culture, Demand No. 56 – Information & Publicity, Demand No. 61 – Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Demand No. 85 – Department of Rural Development and Demand No. 90 – Drinking Water Department, have been received from the Member as shown below against the respective Demands, which are fixed for discussion on the 5th August, 2025.