PANAJI
After a prolonged dormancy, the Estimates Committee and the Committee on Government Assurances are set to convene this month. This will be the first meeting for the Estimates Committee since the appointment of new Chairpersons of both the Committees in January 2023.
However, what’s surprising is that the much-hyped Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Undertaking Committee (PUC) are yet to schedule their respective meetings.
According to Legislative Secretary Namrata Ulman, the Estimates Committee, chaired by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, is scheduled to hold its maiden meeting on September 7. Similarly, the Committee on Government Assurances, led by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, is set to meet on September 14.
“The Assurance Committee is meeting after around three-four months. It is the first meeting of the Estimates Committee,” Ulman said while speaking to The Goan.
On the other hand, the PAC and PUC have not convened a single meeting since the appointment of their new Chairpersons Alton D’Costa and Yuri Alemao, respectively. Although it is reportedly learnt that their meetings could be held before or after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, an official communiqué has not reached the Legislature Department so far.
The commitment of Opposition legislators to oversee the functioning of the Goa government has often been questioned despite their claims of being a vigilant. Only a few legislators have been vocal in the House.
The reports of the PAC and PUC have not been presented in the House since 2014, with the PAC report last tabled in August 2014. Surprisingly, no PUC reports are submitted till date.
Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar appointed Quepem MLA D’Costa as the Chairman of PAC for a two-year term from 2022-24, and Leader of the Opposition Alemao as Chairman of PUC for the same period.
Congress turned BJP MLA Digambar Kamat and GFP MLA Vijai Sardessai had openly expressed their displeasure over the failure of the members of the PAC and PUC to meet even once in last eight months.
