Any legislation passed or notification issued must be for the larger public good and never for any vested interest. The Goa amendment to the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 hurriedly introduced and passed has raised many eyebrows. It seeks to give reduction in stamp duty for gift deeds in favour of a brother-in-law (Bhauji) or sister-in law which defies logic. We would soon know for whose benefit it is being done.
Similarly on 17th January 2014 the BJP hurriedly issued a notification appointing all Sub-Registrars in Goa as “Marriage Officers” under Special Marriage Act 1954 to solely facilitate a high profile marriage. It was the first and the last Marriage in Goa under that Act.
The Assembly is the democratic forum where elected representatives must hold a debate and discussion on intricacies of government policy while enacting only good new legislation. As any legislation that is enacted has far reaching effects on the State and its people, there must be a detailed and thorough debate on the pros and cons of every law that is contemplated. Curtailing debates and bulldozing legislations is very high handed and does not augur well in the framework of democracy.
Even worse, it erodes public trust in Government and good Governance, as they rightly question the efficacy and integrity of such rushed or ill considered legislation and the motives for circumventing due process and debate.
