Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021:
The Goa Assembly passed the Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021.
- It recognises anyone living in the state for 30 years or more as a ‘Bhumiputra (son of the soil)’ and giving such a person the right to own his or her ‘small dwelling unit’ if ownership was undetermined so far.
- Once recognised as a Bhumiputra, an individual can stake claim to ownership of their house of not more than 250 sq m, built before April 1, 2019.
- The objective was to enable the ‘mool Goenkar (original Goan)’ to live with dignity.
- The Bill provides for the constitution of the Bhumiputra Adhikarini — a committee consisting of the Deputy Collector as its Chairperson.
- This Bill has open the floodgates for the migrant population that has been staying in densely populated areas in Goa and has no legality.
- This would recognise encroachments by slum-dwellers that are over 30 years old as Bhumiputras.
