Given the fact that there is an immediate need for
introducing the Roman script in the official language
act merely by a small amendment, this writer has made
available a draft Bill which has since been circulated
to the ruling and opposition members of the Goa
Legislative Assembly, so that the same could be
brought in the current Assembly session.
The INC MLA's
Mr Agnelo Fernandes MLA Calangute and Parliamentary
Secretary, Mr Karl Vaz MLA Mormugao
Mr Francis D Souza BJP MLA Mapusa and
Mr Mathany Saldanha UGDP MLA Cortalim (status
subjudice) have evinced keen interest in the same and
could be counted to introduce it for admission from
the Treasury Benches or as a private members Bill from
the Opposition side.
What is important is that it should be introduced now
lest it becomes an emotive issue at election time.
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The Goa Daman and Diu Official Language
(Amendment) Bill 2006 ( Bill No: of 2006)
A Bill
further to amend the Goa, Daman and Diu Official
Language Act 1987
Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Goa in
the fifty sixth year of the Republic of India as
follows:
1. Short title and commencement:---
(1)This Act may be called the Goa Official Language
(Amendment ) Act 2006
2) It shall come into force at once.
2 Amendment of Sections :
In section 1 and in all other sections of the Goa
Daman and Diu Official Language Act 1987 (Act No:1 of
1987) (hereinafter referred as the Principal Act )
i) in the long and short title where the figure and
words Daman and Diu wherever it occurs, shall be
omitted
ii)for the expression Union Territory and the Union
Territory of Goa Daman and Diu wherever they occur ,
the expression the State of Goa shall be substituted
3. Amendment of section 2.
In section 2 of the Principal Act
i) clauses (a) and (f) shall be omitted
ii) clauses (b) (c) (d) and (e) shall be restructured
as clauses (a) (b) (c) and (d) resply.
iii) after restructure of clause (c ) of the
Principal Act as clause (b) shall be inserted after
the words in Devanagari and also Roman script
4 Amendment of section 3
In the section 3 of the Principal Act in the second
and third proviso the Gujarati language and
Gujarati respectively shall be deleted . In the
same provisos for the expression
languages the language shall be substituted
Statement of Objects and Reasons
The Marathi language has been given a certain status
under the Official Language Act because Marathi is the
language used for religious, cultural and business
purposes mainly by the Hindu Community of Goa.
Likewise over the past over 495 years Konkani in Roman
script is used for all religious cultural and business
purposes . The entire liturgy of the Catholic
community is in Konkani in Roman script. The teatro
Mando Dulpods which are cultural outpourings of
the Catholic community is in Konkani in Roman script.
The first book printed in the continent of Asia was in
the Roman script. In sum and substance the Konkani
language in Goa has been sustained and propagated
invariably through the Roman script, in which a lot of
literature is produced. Hence it is necessary to
preserve and ecourage Konkani in the Roman script.
This Bill seeks to achieve the above object.
Financial Memorandum
No financial implications are involved in the Bill
Porvorim
March,2006
MLA
Porvorim
Assembly Hall Secretary to the Legislative Assembly
March, 2006
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The votaries of Konkani in both scripts in Goa
Devanagari and Roman appeal to the Cristao MLAs to
take the initiative and rest assured that the Hindu
Bahujan Samaj MLA's will extend full support to the
same. But only if the Cristao MLA's do their duty.
There is no point in being hyporicites as many admit
in private that they are totally for Konkani in Roman
script but develop cold feet on the issue of admitting
the Bill. Since the job has been made easy by
drafting one tabling the same should not be difficult.
There is a petition signed by several Goans in India
and abroad which are supportive of the move and
therefore MLA's would do well to introduce the same.
The NRI Goans have also been advised to make sure that
when the Cristao MLA's or MP's visit the Gulf or USA
Canada UK Australia Portugal they should demand in
writing from these MLA's MP's on their views on this
amendment BEFORE EXTENDING HOSPITALITY TO THEM.
Voters in Goa too have been discreetly advised to
remind the MLA's about this issue and if they do not
introduce the Bill and bring about the amendment
before the next hustings they would surely bite the
dust.
GODFREY J I GONSALVES
BORDA MARGAO GOA
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
9822158584
__________________________________________________________
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