Goa CM diluted Portuguese Marriage Act for amicus curiae's son: Congress

Congress today accused Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of "diluting" unique Common Civil Code, which the opposition party said was done to "benefit" son of an amicus curiae appointed by the supreme court in illegal mining case, who got married in Goa.

State unit Congress president John Fernandes today distributed recent notification at a press conference, which makes Special Marriage Act, 1954 applicable to the state.

The Common Civil Code has been in force since the Portuguese era.

"Parrikar fraudulently notified this law without taking the Legislative Assembly into confidence through an executive order," Fernandes said.

"This was done to benefit the son of a lawyer who is appointed as amicus curiae by the supreme court in the illegal mining case, who got married in Goa," he said.

"This is an attempt to bribe the amicus curiae," the Congress leader alleged.

Fernandes said once marriage is registered in Goa, the partners are entitled to exemption in income tax.

The common civil code functions on the "common assets" philosophy.

"The notification by the state department of law and judiciary is a plan to subvert the Income Tax Act and gives facilities to people from outside the state," Fernandes said.

Parrikar was not available for reaction.

When contacted, a senior BJP spokesman said the matter raised by Fernandes pertains to the policy decision of the state government and the party cannot offer any comments on it.