Adv Carlos forces govt to send Outdoor Advt Bill to select committee

Adv Carlos forces govt to send Outdoor Advt Bill to select committee

PANAJI: Aldona Congress MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira almost single handedly forced the government to send The Goa Outdoor Advertisement (Regulations & Control) Bill, 2025 to a select Committee after he highlighted the flaws in the sections in the Bill.

Speaking during the passing of the Bill Adv Ferreira alleged that the Bill was brought to put local painters out of job, small vendors, also rob the local bodies of their income and override existing legislation.

“This Bill will not only control all advertisements all over Goa, but also kill small traders, small vendors, individuals, entrepreneurs, small painters and also the local bodies and indirectly repeal existing laws,” Adv Carlos said.

He alleged that the bill was drafted and presented to the government by an advertiser who wants to safeguard its interests, kill others and profiteer through this bill.

Even as he was speaking the Government sought to force through the passing of the Bill in a hurry to begin with the budget speech leading to strong and loud protests from the opposition, which forced the government to relent and allow members to speak during the passing.

“First he tried to pass it without discussion saying that it was pursuant to a High Court Order which I rebuffed strongly and said that no Court could dictate the legislation and we had a right to discuss it clause by clause,” Adv Carlos said later to the media.

“The Bill will have a long term effect of affecting everyone: from individual entrepreneurs, to small businesses, medium scale industries, put local painters out of job, small vendors, also rob the local bodies of their income and override existing legislation,” Adv Carlos also said.

During the discussion, Adv Carlos said that the Bill which mandates registration for those setting up of outdoor advertisements, permission for setting up of outdoor advertising devices, permission for setting up of re-erection of outdoor device, permission for setting up of display, permission for changing the display.

“Panchayats and Municipalities earn revenue form advertisements. They will be stripped off such power to grant permission and income. The Panchayati Raj Act is to empower the grassroot villages and if this little is being taken away from them, it will be grave injustice. Some Panchayats along the coast are rich. Some in the hinterland are poor. Some of my own Panchayats don’t have “developable lands” and hence cannot generate much income due to lack of large development activities. They depend on income like this. Does the Govt wish to kill the local bodies too and make them beggars at the doors of the Government? Right now, the Panchayats are getting a pittance from the Government as grants. What will happen with this law?” he also said.

Adv Carlos also highlighted the loose definition of terms like advertisement, agency for display, outdoor advertisement device which would mean that it is not just regulation of hoardings but all kinds of advertisements.

“It is very clear that the government was getting exposed so they later relented and said that the Bill is being sent to the Select Committee,” Adv Carlos said.