Panaji: Aldona Congress MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira on Friday launched a scathing attack on the BJP government, calling the Mhaje Ghar Scheme an “election jumla” designed to mislead Goans ahead of the upcoming polls. The scheme is scheduled to be unveiled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference alongside GPCC President Amit Patkar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, and South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes, Ferreira cautioned Goans against applying under the scheme, warning that the information collected could be misused for political blackmail.
“Applicants will be asked to disclose details about their illegal houses, the extent of illegalities, and other sensitive information. This data will remain with the government and could be used to target citizens. Tomorrow, if you oppose the government, they will already have ready-made data about your house,” Ferreira said.
He warned that if the High Court strikes down the law, the government could use this very data to selectively demolish houses. “By giving such applications, you will be axing your own foot,” he cautioned.
Ferreira said the Congress had attempted to strengthen the legislation by moving amendments in the Assembly to ensure it could withstand legal scrutiny, but the government rejected them. “If the government was genuinely concerned for the people, they would have accepted these amendments. Instead, they want a law that won’t stand in court, but will help them before elections,” he alleged.
Calling it “vote-bank politics,” Ferreira predicted that by the time applications are processed, the state would be on the doorstep of elections and the ruling party would threaten citizens with demolition notices unless they voted for BJP.
Highlighting conditions in the bill, Ferreira said many Goans would be disqualified from the scheme due to clauses like property ownership. “In Goa, almost every family has ancestral property shares in their village. If such people apply, they could face two years in jail and demolition of their homes. This law is a recipe for disaster,” he warned.
Ferreira concluded that the Mhaje Ghar Scheme was not meant to protect people’s homes, but to place them at risk while handing the BJP a tool to manipulate voters. “We maintain this is an election jumla — a dangerous gimmick that will only put Goans in trouble,” he said.
