Goa seeks special status for preserving identity

Panaji, Aug 29 (UNI) Goa Legislative Assembly today unanimously resolved to urge the Centre for according special status to Goa to ''preserve its limited land resources available for development and its unique identity.'' Replying to a debate on the private member resolution, moved by Francis D'Souza (BJP), Chief Minister Gigambar Kamat pleaded for banning sale of the limited agricultural land available in Goa.

The Centre may not give special status to Goa as was in vogue in Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal under Article 371 of the Constitution of India as Goa's per capita income and performance indicators were very high.

Members, including the former finance minister Dayanand Narvekar and BJP opposition leader favoured the resolution pointing out that outsiders could not enter Mizoram without a valid identity.

They demanded that ownership and transfer of land, especially with respect to sale of land to non-residents and foreigners be regulated like in the three states.

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