Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jul 26: Amid noisy scenes in the Goa Assembly, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday stated that the government is open to reviewing the provisions related to individuals born in Goa, in order to safeguard the interests of Goans.

Speaking during a discussion on the Goa Succession, Special Notaries and Inventory Proceeding Act, Sawant clarified that the Act and related laws are based on the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867 and an Official Gazette notification dated February 1995. These laws govern individuals born in Goa as well as those born outside Goa but whose parents were governed by the same civil code before December 20, 1961 — the date when Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule.

“We remain committed to strengthening and reviewing the Act in response to present-day challenges and in the interest of Goans,” Sawant said.

The statement came in response to a Private Member Resolution moved by RGP MLA Viresh Borkar, who demanded that the terms ‘Goans’ and ‘Persons of Goan Origin’ be clearly defined in law to protect the cultural and demographic identity of the State. The resolution, however, was rejected by the House.

Tensions escalated after Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar disallowed further discussion on the resolution, leading Opposition leader Yuri Alemao to rush to the Well of the House and tear a copy of the Official Gazette, drawing sharp protest from the ruling members.

Despite being given time to speak, Viresh Borkar continued his protest and was eventually marshalled out of the House. He also demanded the formation of a high-level committee to address concerns over the identity and demographic changes in Goa.