'Proper legislation needed for issuing resident certificates'

Panaji, Feb 14 (UNI) Senior Congress leader Shantaram Naik has demanded that Goa Government should enact a proper legislation to regulate the issuance of resident certificate which is presently regulated in the state by mere administrative instructions.

Mr Naik cited the recent incident, in which an actress had obtained a resident certificate, on the grounds that she had been residing for over six months in a house in Margao, in order to get her marriage with a famous actor registered. Mr Naik said the actress had obtained the certificate although she had not lived in the town for the claimed period.

Mr Naik said he has been constantly pressing for such a legislation so as to protect the interests of the original Goan population.

Mr Naik said the Portuguese law, in force in the state, requires attested copies of birth certificate, ration card and school leaving certificate, or any other document as proof of residence. Genuineness of the document produced by the actress needs to be examined, Mr Naik added.

The couple has to re-appear before the sub-registrar again, after ten days to complete the registration of marriage as per the relevant provisions of the Portuguese law.

Mr Naik has urged the Collector of South Goa to inquire as to how the actress was issued resident certificate.

He said he is not concerned about the registration of marriage per se, but residence certificate is an important document which, if treated lightly, can create social and economic problems depriving Goans of their valuable rights.

UNI SRN MAZ AE KN1903