MAPUSA
The monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly commenced on a tumultuous note as the treasury benches caused a ruckus, announcing their intention to move a breach of privilege motion against Congress MLA Altone D’Costa for allegedly insulting Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar.
The resulting chaos led to the adjournment of the House, wiping out the entire Question Hour.
The Question Hour was set to address significant issues, including the New Education Policy (NEP), a hike in power tariffs, and flight operations at Dabolim and Mopa airports.
However, these discussions were derailed by the uproar.
The session began with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant making several announcements.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai then raised an objection to an interview given by the Education Secretary regarding the NEP, which was supposed to be discussed in the Assembly, threatening to move a breach of privilege motion.
Vasco MLA Daji Salkar quickly escalated the situation by threatening a breach of privilege motion against Congress MLA Altone D’Costa for allegedly making disrespectful remarks about Speaker Tawadkar.
The Leader of the Opposition, Yuri Alemao, challenged the motion, asserting the Opposition's right to move a resolution.
"How is this a breach of privilege? Nothing stops us from moving a resolution. Show me the rule," Alemao demanded.
Chief Minister Sawant then joined the fray, insisting that D’Costa should apologise to the Speaker for his remarks.
Members of the treasury benches stood up, brandishing placards and demanding an apology from D’Costa, which further intensified the disorder.
Unable to restore order, Speaker Tawadkar adjourned the House, resulting in the loss of the entire Question Hour.
Earlier, Goa Forward Party Leader and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai had expressed his intent to move a breach of privilege motion, arguing that the sanctity of the House had been compromised after a government official's interview on the NEP appeared in a newspaper.
"A senior government officer in the education department has explained the NEP in an interview. Rule 62 of the House clearly states that when questions are raised by members and await answers from ministers, no government official should provide clarification on the subject," Sardesai asserted.
Sardesai warned that if the practice continued, ministers and secretaries might hold press conferences on topics before they are discussed in the House, undermining the House's authority.
He urged the Speaker to caution the government or face a breach of privilege motion.
Chief Minister Sawant, however, maintained that no rules of the House had been broken.
