Goa seeks Special Status

Seeking to preserve the state’s “unique identity”, the Goa legislative Assembly passed an unanimous resolution on Friday strongly recommending that the state government take up with the Centre the urgent need to grant special status to Goa.Coming in the wake of another legislation that bans the sale of land to foreigners in Goa, Friday’s resolution seeks to ban sale of agricultural and orchard land to persons from outside the state. The Assembly was unanimous in the need, “for granting special status to Goa to ensure that the state preserves its unique identity.” The original motion, moved by BJP’s Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza and Congress’ Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco had sought special status, “on the lines of special status granted to states of Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal under Article 371 of the Constitution of India, for regulating ownership and transfer of land especially with respect to sale of land to non-residents/foreigners...” Replying to this, CM Digambar Kamat said he agreed, “fully with the sentiments of the members,” but clarified that Himachal and Uttaranchal were given special status in terms of their economic situation and not on land. He said, “I accept the resolution in principle. But let there be unanimity on special status on Goa. We need to sit down and discuss before we approach the Centre.” Moving the motion, D’Souza said, “There is a need to protect our land and to protect our identity. There has been massive in-migration into Goa and Goans feel like strangers in their own land. If this is not stopped today, it might be too late tomorrow.”He appealed to the members not to hanker after credit on this resolution but to show unanimity. D’Souza also said Goa deserves special economic status as it makes a sizeable contribution to the Centre. D’ Souza said the Centre has already granted special status to Uttaranchal and Himachal under Article 371 of the Constitution.
The Road Ahead :On Friday, Goa’s legislative assembly passed a unanimous resolution seeking special status for Goa, with the aim of protecting its agricultural and orchard lands from foreign and outside buyers, and also to protect the state’s identity .he Goa government would now have to forward the resolution seeking special status for Goa, to the Centre.The Union government would have to review the resolution and take a decision on the same .If it considers giving special status to Goa, the Centre would have to introduce the same as a bill in Parliament.The bill would have to be passed by a simple majority, that is, more than half the members present would have to vote in favour of the bill .The bill would then go to the President for approval . With the President’s nod, the bill would become an Act applicable to the state of Goa .
Part XXI of the Indian Constitution provides for temporary, transitional and special provisions to be made by Parliament with respect to certain states:
Article 370 gives special status to Jammu & Kashmir. The power of Parliament to make laws with respect to the state is limited .
Article 371 makes special provisions for Maharashtra and Gujarat. It provides for the establishment of separate development boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada, and the rest of Maharashtra, Saurashtra and Kutch.
Article 371 A states that no act of Parliament in respect of religious or social practices of the Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law, ownership and transfer of land and its resources shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides. A provision similar to that for Nagaland is inserted for Mizoram under Article 371 G .
Article 371 D empowers the President to make an order regarding the state of Andhra Pradesh and provide for equitable opportunities and facilities in the matter of public employment and education. This constitutional amendment can be carried out by a simple majority of Parliment