The three-day curtailed session of the Goa Legislative Assembly began on a bizarre note virtually defeating the key purpose of the session. The focus of the session was a discussion on the budgetary demands followed by a reply by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Sadly, Legislative Affairs Minister Mauvin Godinho moved a motion for suspension of the rules of the House that sought an exemption to discussion and reply of the CM.
The motion has not only made a mockery of legislative procedures but has indicated that the government wants to bulldoze through the session without any scrutiny. The passing of a budget is a serious exercise that needs a thorough debate on the State’s finances. Going by statistics, Goa’s fiscal debt is rising exponentially and revenue streams have dried up.
The government cannot wriggle out of the situation on the pretext of the paucity of time because the passing of the budget is a serious exercise that has a bearing on the State's finances. Given the financial pulls and pressures of sectors hit during the pandemic, this was an opportunity for the CM to set the record straight, and win the confidence of all and sundry. By avoiding a reply, Sawant has indicated that he is either not prepared, or not ready to bring the ‘real picture’ before the House. The move on seeking suspension of rules only gives rise to suspicion.
Mauvin Godinho has contended that it was inevitable to seek suspension of rules of the House because of the truncated session and paucity of time. He argued that this is not the first time that rules of the house are suspended, but sadly, the minister for Legislative Affairs is banking on exigencies of the past to justify the present situation. Suspension of rules of the House cannot be used as a norm and invoked at will to shirk responsibilities, especially when the situation demands answers.
Surprisingly, a full-fledged session is not being held on the pretext of the Covid situation, despite almost all sectors being thrown open. Even if the government strategically tries to avoid embarrassing situations ahead of the assembly election, it still cannot run away from basic accountability and steamroll through contentious issues because of the brute majority it enjoys on the floor of the House. Ironically, the motion was passed without a proper voice vote, even drawing the attention of senior legislator Pratapsing Rane.
The Opposition may be going all guns blazing and trying to play to the galleries with one eye on elections, but that should have prompted the ruling benches to come out in full might. On the contrary, ministers were found napping and struggling for answers exposing their unpreparedness on the portfolios they are holding. Revenue Minister Jennifer Monserrate was way off the mark when questioned over land acquisition for double-tracking, and Water Resources Minister Filipe Rodrigues had very little to explain when questioned over the quantum of Mhadei water diversion.
We hope that legislators in the hallowed precincts of the House are fully aware of the fact that the people of Goa are watching.
