Goa Legislative Assembly

“This House strongly recommends the Government to enact a Legislation, in a time bound manner and in any case not later than six months, to establish and regulate crematorium/burial grounds for all sections of the society, at all Panchayats in the State of Goa. The Government to acquire land and set up facilities at the earliest and hand them over to local self-Government bodies for the benefit of all sections of society as in many places in Goa people are still facing grave difficulties in conducting final rites of the deceased members in a dignified manner”.
 

This House urges the Central Government in its wisdom to take all such necessary steps, including appropriate Legislative measures, to ameliorate the social and economic chaos which has befallen the State of Goa and its economy, due to the complete closure of Mining operations in the State. The Legislative measures are needed to harmonise mining law specifically enacted for  Mining Concessions in Goa with the amendment of 2015 to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 by the Central Government so as to ensure that under the federal spirit, Goa is on an even keel with the rest of the Country keeping in mind its uniqueness.

SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR, Chief Minister replied to the points raised by the Mover.

The Resolution was passed unanimously.

This House strongly recommends the Government to implement meters in all the Taxis in Goa forthwith, and also to come out with strong legislations, to enforce the taxi permit conditions, so that the tourists, as well as the locals are not over charged, as Goa is getting a bad name on account of high handedness of certain taxi operators. 

SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR, Chief Minister replied to the points raised by the Mover.

The Resolution was withdrawn by the leave of the House.

“Attention of the House is drawn as regards the works taken by contractors who are quoting 35% to 45% below the estimated cost put to tender by which quality of works is likely to be affected, thus leading to sub standard works. The steps the Government intends to take in this regard”.   

Attention of the House is drawn to provide homes to the homeless through the Scheme for Rural Homeless.  The steps the Government intends to take in this regard

“Attention of the House is drawn to the attempt to create fear and anxiety by misrepresenting the provisions of the Goa Escheats, Forfeiture and Bona Vacantia Act, 2024, whose principles are embedded in the Constitution of India, specially within Article 296. The Bill seeks to protect land of Goans specially those lying vacant and abandoned and are at risk from illegal encroachments, fraudulent transfers and land grabbers. The steps the Government will take to clarify and counter the false propaganda on the said Act”.

Attention of the House is called as regards the residents of Rivona, Caurem Pirla, and surrounding villages due to frequent power outages and long periods of irregular power supply. Poor power infrastructure has led to these frequent power cuts which has caused major hardships to the day to day functioning of the locals. The steps the Government intends to take and the time frame within which the issue will be resolved.

Attention of the House is called to the cultivators specially seasonal traditional cultivators from Farmagudi, Bandora and surrounding areas of Ponda and Quepem Taluka not being original owners of land due to washing out and damage of seasonal crops like Cucumber, Bitter Gourd, Ridge Gourd, Brinjal, Radish, Pumpkin, Jasmine Flowers, etc. due to heavy rainfall for the past 15 days; being the only business of local people and they being dependent entirely on this seasonal earning. The steps Government intends to take to provide financial assistance to these local traditional cultivators

Shri Nilesh Cabral, MLA moved the following:

“This House congratulates Mrs. Hema Sardessai a Goan singing sensation for being selected by Tony Mercedes to sing for Prestigious Hollywood Music Albums in U.S.A., thus bringing name and fame to the State of Goa on the International Singing field.”

The following Members spoke on the Motion:-

1. Shri Nilesh Cabral, MLA                                                              …….   3 13 PM
2. Shri Glenn Ticlo Souza, MLA                                                     …….   3 17 PM
3.  Shri Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Panchayats                 …….   3 18 PM
4.  Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister                                 …….   3 21 PM
5. Shri Michael Lobo, Deputy Speaker                                       …….   3 22 PM

The Motion was adopted unanimously.

Shri Nilesh Cabral, MLAmoved the following:

“This House congratulates Shri Sandesh Sonu Naik resident of Ribandar who have awarded “The outstanding Achiever of the Year Award” the top lion award from CITY & GUILDS, London and is the first Asian who win the lion award from CITY and GUILDS, London also was chosen for the award from over 20 lakhs students worldwide.”

SHRI NILESH CABRAL, MLA moved the following:

“This House congratulates Master Anurag Mhamal for becoming First Goan Grandmaster in the International Chess Games thus bringing pride and glory to Goa.”

The following Members spoke on the Motions:-

1. Shri Chandrakant Kavalekar, Leader of Opposition..   12 36 PM
2. Shri Nilesh Cabral, MLA                                              ……    12 43 PM
3. Shri Digambar Kamat, MLA                                        ……    12 43 PM
4. Shri Pravin Zantye, MLA                                             ……    12 45 PM
5. Shri Antonio Fernandes, MLA                                    ……    12 47 PM
6. Shri Prasad Gaonkar, MLA                                          ……    12 50 PM
7. Shri Churchill Alemao, MLA                                       ……    12 51 PM
8. Shri Glenn Souza Ticlo, MLA                                      ……    12 52 PM
9. Shri Manohar Azgaonkar, Minister for Sports    ……    12 53 PM

10. Dr. Pramod Sawant, Speaker                         ……    12 59 PM

The Motions were adopted unanimously.

Shri Nilesh Cabral, MLA moved the following:

“This House congratulates Suvet Satish Lotlikar for winning an individual Gold in Bench Press event by lifting 60kgs and also in the composite event bench press 60kg, squat 70 kgs and dead lift 77.25 kgs also for Gold in his weight group of 74-83 kgs in Power Lifting Championship held for Special Olympics Bharat at Kolhapur from 9^th to 14^th July, 2017 and who was an only Goan participant in this event.”

The following Members spoke on the Motion:-

1. Shri Nilesh Cabral, MLA                                            ……    3 19 PM
2. Shri Carlos Almeida, MLA                                        ……    3 22 PM
3. Shri Deepak Pauskar, MLA                                       ……    3 23 PM
4. Shri Glenn Souza Ticlo, MLA                                   ……    3 24 PM
5. Smt. Alina Saldanha, MLA                                        ……    3 25 PM
6. Shri Prasad Gaonkar, MLA                                       ……    3 27 PM
7. Shri Chandrakant Kavalekar, Leader of Opposition..3 28 PM
8. Shri Manohar Azgaonkar, Minister for Sports……     3 29 PM
9. Dr. Pramod Sawant, Speaker                                  ……    3 32 PM

The Motion was adopted unanimously.

SHRI NILESH CABRAL, MLA moved the following:
“This House condoles the death of Fr. Peter Rodrigues, Superior of Agnel Ashram,Verna,Goa who founded most of the Institutions in the Verna Educational Hub this includes PCCE Engineering College and Catering College, Innovation Centre and also founded the newly Commissioned Engineering college of Assagao.more than 7000 students are benefited by this noble caused founded by him annually. In his death Goa has lost a Educationalist who has founded and conveys the deep sympathies to his Institute who had been able Administrator.”
3
The following Members spoke on the Condolatory Motions:
1. Shri Nilesh Cabral, MLA…………………………………12 40 PM
2. Shri Aleixo R. Lourenco, MLA…………………………..12 41 PM
3. Shri Francisco M. Pacheco, MLA………………………...12 41PM
4. Shri Digambar Kamat, MLA………………………..........12 44PM
5. Shri Mauvin Godinho, MLA………………………..........12 45 PM
6. Shri Pratapsingh R. Rane, Leader of Opposition….....12 47 PM
7. Shri Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, Minister for PWD…….12 49 PM
8. Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister………….......12 53 PM

Fear and anxiety in the minds of people, especially among parents and guardians, as school safety in Goa comes under serious question. A recent NCERT survey \"Parakh Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024\" under Union Education Ministry has revealed that 29% of students in Goa reported being physically hit by their peers, and 23% of schools do not have any anti-bullying policy in place. This is a deeply troubling indicator that our children are increasingly exposed to environments of fear, intimidation, and emotional distress within institutions meant to nurture and educate them.

The lack of standardised guidelines, absence of trained counselors, and inadequate response mechanisms have created a vacuum that is impacting the mental health and overall well-being of students across the state. Incidents of bullying both physical and psychological often go unreported due to stigma and fear of retaliation, while teachers and school administrators remain under-equipped to handle such sensitive issues effectively.

Therefore, I urge the Chief Minister to urgently take up the matter of child safety in schools on priority and direct all educational institutions government and private alike to mandatorily implement anti-bullying policies with immediate effect and also inform the house that what  steps the Government intends to take to ensure that every student in Goa feels safe, protected, and respected within their school environment.

Fear and anxiety in the minds of the people of Curchorem over the plight of Mr. Pavan Madiwal, a young constituent who was diagnosed with kidney failure in June 2021 at the tender age of 26. Following initial treatment at a private hospital, he sought care at Goa Medical College, Bambolim, where his mother was identified as a potential kidney donor. However, due to high blood pressure in the donor, the GMC committee ruled out the transplant at the facility. He then approached Healthway Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., Old Goa, where a successful kidney transplant was conducted on 19th September 2024 with his mother as the live donor. The procedure was performed with all necessary approvals from GMC and the transplant committee.

The total cost of the transplant and associated medical expenses amounted to Rs.19,18,770. Out of this, only Rs 1,61,000 was covered under the DDSSY scheme. The remaining amount was arranged by his father by taking loans and borrowing money from others, placing a huge financial burden on the family. Upon constant follow-up with the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) for support under the Mediclaim scheme, Mr. Pawan was repeatedly asked to furnish the final bill and a detailed breakup of expenses. When a detailed breakup of the bill was requested to enable reimbursement of the balance amount, the hospital declined to provide it, stating that the transplant was done under a consolidated package and hence no further bill details would be issued.

Due to this, the remaining amount could not be claimed or reimbursed. Why should the public have to suffer and bear financial hardship when they are availing services under a government-approved scheme?

I urge the Hon’ble Health Minister to intervene in this matter and ensure that a mechanism is established for transparency and accountability in billing by empanelled hospitals. The Government must take urgent steps to ensure that no citizen is denied their due financial support due to such shortcomings. The House may be informed of the steps the Government intends to take in this regard.

Fear and anxiety  in the minds of hundreds of library staff working under the Village Panchayat and NGO-managed libraries across Goa, including in my constituency of Curchorem. These employees have been serving the public with dedication through local library institutions that have remained crucial to promoting reading culture and community learning, especially in rural areas.

The existing scheme  “The Goa State Village Panchayat/NGO\'s Libraries Financial Assistance Scheme, 2018”  which was itself a revision of earlier financial aid frameworks notified via Government Gazette (Extraordinary No. 2, Series I No. 46 dated 16th February 2004), has not kept pace with inflation and modern manpower standards. Presently, these library employees are not entitled to basic welfare benefits such as EPF, medical leave, job security, or retirement benefits. Their current remuneration is less and lacks provision for annual increments, resulting in extreme financial difficulty and a lack of motivation in sustaining these vital services.

These welfare benefits are long-overdue rights of employees who have served the public interest without access to fundamental employment protections. Libraries are the grassroots temples of knowledge, and the staff manning them must be treated with dignity and justice.

In light of this, I urge the Hon’ble Minister for Art & Culture to clarify what  steps are being taken to revise the said scheme comprehensively, safeguard the interests of library employees, and ensure smooth and professional functioning of village and NGO-run libraries across Goa.

Fear and anxiety prevail among Guest Lecturers in Government ITIs who have been discontinued from 12th July 2025, nearly a month before the Final All India Trade Test. Their sudden removal has affected preparatory classes, theory revision, practical training, and internal assessments which is directly impacting trainee performance.

This is in contrast to Lecture Basis teachers in schools, who are retained until results are declared, highlighting a policy disparity. Many Guest Lecturers have served for over 10 years, yet face job insecurity and no pathway to regularization. Most ITIs in Goa are functioning primarily with contractual and guest faculty, and this discontinuation has led to severe faculty shortage during a crucial period.

In light of Supreme Court observations on regularizing long-serving contractual staff, I urge the Hon. Minister for Skill Development to clarify this policy and inform the House what steps the Government intends to take to ensure continuity of such guest lecturers till the final exam and consider regularization of eligible instructors.

Fear and anxiety have gripped the minds of the people, especially owners of heavy motor vehicles in Curchorem and adjoining areas, due to the issuance of retrospective tax recovery notices by the Assistant Director of Transport, Quepem. One such case pertains to a resident of Khamamol, Curchorem, who has received a notice dated July 2025, in connection with a Tata Tipper (Reg. No. GA-09-T-5259) registered in 2004.

The notice demands payment of rs 59,250/- for the period 01/04/2021 to 31/03/2026, invoking Section 4 of The Goa, Daman and Diu M.V. Taxation Act & Rules, 1974. The concerned department has threatened recovery as arrears of land revenue through the Revenue Recovery Court if payment is not made within 14 days of the notice, irrespective of whether the vehicle is in working condition or has been off-road.

what is most disturbing is that many of these trucks have been non-operational since the closure of mining operations in Goa, which has severely affected livelihoods in the transport sector. A large number of these vehicles were registered with Goa Electronics Limited (GEL) for official tracking and verification purposes during the mining period, and their status can be easily verified from that system. Despite this, blanket recovery notices are being sent without cross-verifying GEL data or checking whether vehicles were scrapped, surrendered, or kept idle. These actions are being taken under the assumption of continuous usage and are pushing already distressed truck owners many of whom have been struggling since the mining ban into further economic distress.

I therefore urge the Hon’ble Minister for Transport to clarify Whether the department has conducted due diligence before issuing such notices. Aslo, Whether a mechanism can be put in place to verify actual vehicle usage and condition before tax demands are made.

What steps the Government intends to take to ensure that no unjust tax burdens are levied on defunct or unused vehicles.