Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Aug 30: The three-day monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly will begin on Monday, August 31, with Question Hour scheduled to commence at 11.30 am.
Joint Secretary of the Legislature Department Mohan Gaonkar said government business, including the introduction and consideration of Bills, would be taken up on all three days of the session.
The House is scheduled to take up 883 questions submitted by members of both the ruling and opposition benches. These include 163 starred questions and 720 unstarred questions.
The strength of the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly currently stands at 38 following the deaths of two MLAs — former Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik and Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate.
One of the major issues expected to come up during the session is the Goa Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2026, which has already drawn criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups.
The Goa Cabinet approved the proposed legislation earlier this week, paving the way for its introduction during the three-day monsoon session beginning August 31.
The Bill seeks to prohibit religious conversions allegedly carried out through force, coercion, undue influence, allurement, fraudulent means or marriage. It proposes stringent penalties, including imprisonment that could extend up to life, along with fines and compensation for victims.
According to details reported about the proposed legislation, unlawful conversion involving a minor, woman, person with disabilities or member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe could attract rigorous imprisonment of five to 14 years and a minimum fine of Rs 1 lakh. Offenders, including religious functionaries, could face severe punishment under the proposed law. A marriage found to have been conducted solely for the purpose of religious conversion could also be declared void.
The proposed legislation has triggered opposition from several groups in Goa. The Council for Social Justice and Peace and the Catholic Association of Goa have called for its withdrawal, arguing that it could affect constitutional freedom of conscience and communal harmony.
The groups have said they oppose conversions through force, fraud, threats or coercion but maintained that such acts are already punishable under existing criminal laws. They have also expressed concern over provisions they believe could be misused against legitimate religious activities and interfaith relationships.
Independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has also raised objections to the proposed legislation and indicated that he would seek its referral to a Select Committee for detailed examination.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has maintained that the Bill should first be introduced in the Assembly and discussed there, rather than being debated outside the House before its presentation.
The official Goa Legislative Assembly website lists the upcoming sitting as the 14th Session of the Eighth Legislative Assembly and shows business scheduled for August 31.
Besides the anti-conversion legislation, various government Bills and other official business are expected to be taken up during the three-day session.
The session comes at a politically significant time for Goa, with the government facing opposition scrutiny over legislation and a range of state issues. The proposed anti-conversion law is expected to be among the most closely watched matters during the proceedings.