The Budget Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly beginning tomorrow, March 6 is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched sessions in recent years. Not because Goans are eagerly awaiting tax reliefs or development announcements in the annual budget, but because the contentious Section 39A is expected to come up for decisive discussion. The controversy surrounding Section 39A has steadily intensified over the past months, drawing public debate, civil society engagement, and political posturing. What has amplified its urgency is the indefinite hunger strike undertaken by MLA Viresh Borkar, who demanded that the provision be brought before the House for discussion and possible repeal. In response, Speaker Dr Ganesh Gaonkar assured that the matter would be taken up during this very session. Will it be a substantive and transparent deliberation that reflects the seriousness of the issue or will it dissolve into partisan rhetoric? In the days leading up to the session, there have been calls for citizens to engage directly with their local MLAs, urging them to take a clear stand against Section 39A.It is a moment of reckoning for every elected member of the House.
