VASCO, Sept. 29 -- March 1 to September 23 the ruling party, the opposition, the MLAs and MPs of Goa had time to know, read, understand and debate the Major Ports Authorities Bill which was passed in the Lok Sabha on the last day of the monsoon session, sine die, with no debate or discussion. It was literally passed in the din.

For six months and twenty-two days, a Bill which will significantly alter the autonomy or basic control that village panchayats and local bodies had over their lands and interests was not even the realm of discussion.

Apart from BJP's Cortalim MLA, who has firmly stood on the side of the people, other MLAs of Mormugao were almost caught unawares. Urban Development Minister Milind Naik, who is also an MLA of Mormu...