Amid Opposition protest, Goa Assembly passes seven bills

The opposition in Goa Legislative Assembly today staged a walk out even as seven bills, including one hiking taxes on new constructions, were passed.
The entire opposition, including Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane and independent MLA Vijay Sardesai, walked out condemning the bills.
The bills, including Goa Building (Lease Rent and Eviction) Control (Amendment) Act and Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill 2013, were passed by voice vote.
Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said the new legislations would harm common people.
This is for the first time that the entire opposition has walked out during the ongoing session, slated to end on May 2.

Protests began when government introduced Goa Cess on Products and Substances Causing Pollution (Green Cess) Bill.

Lourenco demanded that the bill be sent to select committee of the House for review. He was joined by other opposition MLAs including Sardesai and Congress's Jeniffer Monserratte.
But the Speaker continued with the proceedings, following which Lourenco, Sardesai and Monserratte walked out.
Leader of Opposition Rane protested when Goa Buildings (Lease, Rent and Eviction) Control (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was tabled. He walked out with the remaining opposition MLAs, including Vishwajeet Rane and Atanasio Monserrate.
Lourenco and Sardesai later told a press conference that legislations were against the interests of people. "Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill 2013 will hike the land price by Rs 6,000 per sq mt. This will mean every 100 sq mt flat will cost Rs 6 lakh extra," Sardesai said.