Porvorim: The Goa Ease of Doing Business (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill, 2026, was passed amid strong opposition protests and allegations that it could facilitate large-scale land scams and bring back Special Economic Zones (SEZs) through the backdoor. Opposition MLAs rushed to the well while the bill was being passed.The bill amends the Goa Industrial Development Act, 1965, empowering the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) to grant freehold rights over plots or premises allotted in industrial estates on payment of a freehold premium.It also provides for single-window institutional mechanisms for setting up industries and allows the corporation to frame regulations on freehold rights, premiums, cancellation, penalties, appeals and the Industrial Planning and Developing Committee.Chief minister Pramod Sawant rejected the allegations, saying the government had no intention of selling Goa. He said five laws were being amended to reduce regulatory and compliance burdens, attract investment and improve ease of doing business.“Once the industry is established and after three to five years govt will decide whether to give it on freehold,” Sawant said.He said draft regulations made it clear that only land with freehold rights could be used for industrial purposes, and no activity could be undertaken without Industrial Development Corporation approvals.Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai demanded that the bill be referred to a select committee. He alleged it could enable govt to acquire land and hand it over as private freehold property.“This govt has brought a bill to sell everything,” Sardesai said, warning of a “massive future Zuari land scam”.Leader of opposition Yuri Alemao demanded withdrawal of the bill, while Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira called it a “fraud”. “SEZ was cancelled, and you are getting the same thing backdoor. This is the ease of selling land,” Ferreira said.
