Porvorim: The assembly on Tuesday passed the Registration (Goa Amendment) Bill, 2026, despite opposition concerns over the potential misuse of data collected by the registration department and the absence of adequate safeguards and a grievance-redressal mechanism for people affected by the withholding or cancellation of registered documents.The Bill seeks to introduce a mechanism to cancel documents fraudulently registered under the Registration Act. It also empowers registering authorities to withhold registration of a document upon receiving a written request from agencies such as the enforcement directorate, income tax department and Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).Opposition MLAs demanded that the Bill be referred to a select committee for detailed scrutiny, arguing that several key provisions, including the definition of fraud and safeguards for affected parties, needed to be clarified.Chief minister Pramod Sawant said the legislation would modernise and streamline an outdated registration process and help curb fraudulent transactions.Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira, however, expressed concern over the storage of records by the department and warned that the data could be misused. He said statutory safeguards were needed to prevent misuse of the information collected.Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said the Bill failed to define fraud and gave investigating authorities excessive powers. “The Bill empowers undefined investigating authority to seek cancellation of registered documents for fraud. What is fraud, that itself is undefined,” Sardesai said.Sardesai also pointed out that the Bill did not provide for mandatory notice to affected owners, an opportunity for a hearing, an appeal mechanism or a limitation period. Leader of opposition Yuri Alemao said the Bill should specify the court before which an affected party could seek relief and reiterated the demand that it be referred to a select committee.Sawant defended the legislation, saying it was necessary to prevent fraudulent transactions. Responding to the opposition, he said the investigating authorities had been specified in the Bill and that provisions had been made to address the concerns raised.Sawant said landowners could approach the sessions court against a decision by investigating agencies to stop registration of documents.Sardesai, however, questioned how the interests of buyers and banks would be protected if registration was stopped after payment had already been made.Sawant said the Bill would now be sent for the President’s assent.
