STATUTE
Of The Goan Freedom Movement

© 2003, A.D., P.J. Mascarenhas, Goa Livre Organisation

DEFINITION

ARTICLE 1 — This Statute contains the rules of the Organisation known in English as the <<GOA, DAMAO AND DIO FREEDOM MOVEMENT>> and in Portuguese as the <<MOVIMENTO PARA A LIBERTACAO DE GOA, DAMAO E DIO>> and may be indicated by the abbreviations GFM or MLG respectively, provided that hereinafter the Organisation will be referred to simply as the <<MOVEMENT>>.

ARTICLE 2 — Although named individually, Goa, Damao and Dio together with their populations constitute among themselves a single juridical, political and social unit.

Goa includes the island of Angediva; Damao includes the territories of Dadra and Nagar Aveli and Dio includes the island of Simbor and the territory of Gogola.

AIMS

ARTILCE 3 — The aims of the Movement are to be achieved in successive phases as follows:
  1. Withdrawal from the territories referred to in Article 2 of
    1. All Indian occupational authorities;
    2. All the citizens of the Indian Union who entered the said territories subsequent to the respective dates of occupation. This clause will not apply to such persons as are specified in Article 4 of this statute.
  2. Establishment of a Provisional Administration of Goa, Damao and Dio set up by the people of these territories.
  3. Creation of an atmosphere of complete freedom for the self-determination of the people of Goa, Damao and Dio.

COMPOSITION

ARTICLE 4 — The Movement represents all the peoples of Goa, Damao and Dio irrespective of residence or nationality, who accept the aims referred to in Article 3. � 1. The people of Goa, Damao & Dio shall be persons descended in the male line of a native of the aforesaid territories or of persons domiciled prior to the respective dates of occupation.

� 2. The office bearers of the Movement shall possess the qualifications set forth in clause 1 of this Article.

SUPREME COUNCIL

ARTICLE 5 — The Supreme Council of the Movement will consist of seven members elected by the representatives of the communities of the people of Goa, Damao & Dio meeting in plenary session. The members of the Supreme Council may co-opt a maximum of two members to the Council by unanimous vote. � The names of co-opted members of the Supreme Council shall be kept in strict confidence, if the said members so desire. ARTICLE 6 — Three persons shall be elected as alternate members to replace, in the order of their election, any member of the Supreme Council who is disqualified by virtue of clause 1 of this Article or by reason of Article 7 of this Statute.

The Supreme Council shall at all times maintain the number of alternate members at three by co-option. � For the purpose of this Article the following are to be considered permanent disqualifications: incurable disease; bankruptcy, conviction of a crime involving dishonesty or conviction of a capital offence. A Member of the Supreme Council may resign with the approval of the Supreme Council. ARTICLE 7 — A member of the Supreme Council shall be considered automatically relieved of his appointment if he repudiates, by act or omission the aims referred to in Article 3 or commits a breach of the provisions of Article 13. The other members of the Supreme Council shall take note of the fact by letters addressed to them by the Secretary General.

ARTICLE 8 — The first Supreme Council shall be elected in the plenary session which approves this Statute.

ARTICLE 9 — The members of the Supreme Council shall take office on their election and shall take the oath of office before the plenary Assembly by reciting the formula contained in Appendix A.

ARTICLE 10 — The chairman of the Supreme Council will hold office for a term of one yar in the order of rotation of the election of its members.

ARTICLE 11— It shall be the duty of the Supreme Council to direct the Movement and to represent it wherever necessary.

ARTICLE 12 — It being clearly understood that all acts of the Supreme Council shall conform with the aims mentioned in Article 3 and shall be so ordered as to promote the said aims only, the decisions of the Supreme Council in matters pertaining to the political orientation of the Movement shall be unanimous in order to be valid while all other decisions may be taken by majority vote.

ARTICLE 13 — A member of the Supreme Council who defaults and/or neglects without good reason in the performance of any of his duties as a member of the Supreme Council for a term of 3 months shall automatically be dismissed from his office and permanently disqualified. A dismissal notice will be served on the said member by the Secretary General on the instructions of the Supreme Council.

ARTICLE 14 — The Supreme Council is authorised to form a Provisional Government of the territories referred to in Article 2, if circumstances so indicate. �The formation of a Provisional Government shall not prejudice the second and third aims mentioned in Article 3. ARTICLE 15 — There shall be a consultative body composed of persons appointed by the Supreme Council for the furtherance of the aims of the Movement.

SECRETARY-GENERAL

ARTICLE 16 — The Supreme Council shall appoint a Secretary General who will take charge and take the oath of office in terms of the formula in Appendix B. �1. The Secretary General shall hold office so long as he enjoys the confidence of the majority of the members of the Supreme Council.

�2. The Secretary General shall not be relived of his post without definite charges being framed against him in writing, on which he shall be heard within a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days. ARTICLE 17 — It shall be the duty of the Secretary General:
  1. To choose the place for the headquarters of the Movement, organise the office and appoint the necessary staff;
  2. Set up representations of the Movement wherever necessary;
  3. Sign all the necessary correspondence and inform the Supreme Council of matters depending on its decision;
  4. Represent the Movement actively and passively before Governments, Courts of Law and international organisations and chose representatives for the same purpose, giving them the necessary credentials under his personal responsibility;
  5. Organise and maintain records, being personally responsible for the secret files;
  6. Sign memoranda, representations, letters and articles to the press in defence of the Movement and make public statements within the spirit of Article 3;
  7. Make known by all possible means of propaganda the aims of the Movement and explain the same with all the necessary arguments;
  8. Attend meetings of the Supreme Council and kept the respective minutes;
  9. Submit half-yearly reports to the Supreme Council and issue an annual report for public information;
  10. Manage the funds of the Movement, keep the necessary account books and submit half-yearly accounts to the Supreme Council, the balance sheet being approved by the Auditor;
  11. Make appeals and promote the collection of funds, accept donations and pass receipts, provided that amounts of more than pounds five or equivalent shall be deposited in a bank of known standing;
  12. Make payments, provided that all amounts more than pounds five or equivalent shall be paid by cheque which shall be signed by the Secretary General and countersigned by a person duly appointed by the Supreme Council;
  13. Execute the decisions of the Supreme Council and do whatever else may be necessary in the interest and for the benefit of the Movement.

APPOINTMENT OF AN AUDITOR

ARTICLE 18 — The Supreme Council shall appoint an Auditor of professional standing.

ARTICLE 19 — All cheques issued in the name of the Movement shall be signed by the Secretary General and countersigned by a person appointed by the Supreme Council.

ARTICLE 20 — The Auditor shall report at six monthly intervals on the accounts. �The half-yearly balance sheet will have to be approved by the Auditor.

SALARIES

ARTICLE 21 — Only the Secretary General and the employees of his office shall be full time salaried servants of the Movement.

LANGUAGES

ARTICLE 22 — The languages of the Secretary General's office shall be Concani, Portuguese and English.

SAVING ARTICLE

ARTICLE 23 — Any matter not specifically referred to in this Statute shall be decided by the Supreme Council in terms of Article 12 and after hearing the Consultative Body.

DISSOLUTION

ARTICLE 24 — The Movement shall be dissolved on achieving its aim.

Appendix A

Formula of Oath taken by Members of the Supreme Council


I, _______________________________ swear by my honour that I will discharge honestly, sincerely and faithfully the duties entrusted to me as a Member of the Supreme Council of Goa, Damao and Dio Liberation Movement according to the letter and the spirit of its Statute to the best of my abilities. So help me God.

Appendix B

Formula of Oath taken by the Secretary General


I, _______________________________ swear by my honour that I will discharge honestly, sincerely and faithfully the duties entrusted to me as the Secretary General of the Goa, Damao and Dio Liberation Movement according to the letter and the spirit of its Statute to the best of my abilities. So help me God.
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