from Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Aug 29: The state legislative assembly on Friday August 29 passed a resolution recommending to the Government of Goa to take up with the union government the urgent need for granting special status to Goa.

"This house strongly recommends to the Government of Goa to take up with the union government the urgent need for granting special status to Goa to ensure that the state preserves its unique identity," the resolution passed on the floor of the house reads.

All the legislators cutting across the party line unanimously passed the resolution which was jointly tabled by BJP MLA Francis D'Souza and Congress legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco.

The house modified the original resolution which had stated that the special status should be given on lines with the one given to Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal under article 371 of the Constitution of India.

Chief minister Digamber Kamat said that the government will carefully draft the resolution before giving it to the centre.

He said that the legislation for protecting agricultural land in the State is already under study considering the bills passed by Uttarnchal and Himchal Pradesh governments how they have made legislation to protect interest of local by banning sale of agricultural land.

"That could give a sizeable help to the local people," he said adding that the sale of agriculture land to the outsiders can be done by the state government by bringing in the legislation.

The chief minister said that as far as special status is concerned, the government's effort has always been there.

Earlier leader of ppposition Manohar Parrikar said that the main stress is to keep safe unique identity of the state. "What will we keep for posterity, if Goa's land is being sold at this pace? There should be a restriction on the influx of migration population too," Parrikar, former CM, said.

Other legislators including Mauvin Godinho (Congress), Dayanand Narvekar (Congress) and Victoria Fernandes (Congress) also spoke on the resolution.