MP slams alleged Portuguese opposition to Goa government bill

Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Goa Shantaram Naik today said he will raise the issue of alleged objection by Portuguese government to a bill passed by the state related to evacuee property, in the next session of the Parliament.
Goa state legislative assembly had passed the Goa (Abolition of Proprietorships, Titles and Grants of Lands) Bill, 2014, during the last budget session, giving rights of evacuee property to locals, which has been a controversial issue since the time Portuguese rule ended in Goa.
Naik claimed that the Portuguese government had objected to the Goa government's bill.
"India is a sovereign country and Goa is an integral part of the country," he said, adding that he would raise the issue during the forthcoming session of the Rajya Sabha.

Naik said Goa assembly had all powers to legislate in the matter of the land which forms part of the state and that it was undiplomatic on the Portuguese government's part to directly or indirectly question the right of assembly to protect the interest of the people there.
The MP said that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should immediately send the bill to the Goa Governor who should give his assent without reserving it to be considered by the President of India, since there is no case for reserving assent.