PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday defended the government’s decision to restrict the upcoming monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly to just three days, saying the duration was fixed after assessing the legislative workload.
“The session has been decided according to the business,” Sawant said, adding that three working days were adequate to transact pending government business. The session will run from August 31 to September 2.
The Opposition has mounted a strong attack, accusing the government of curtailing debate on key public issues. Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao and other Opposition legislators argued that the short sitting undermines accountability and reduces opportunities for discussion on several issues of public importance.
Sawant maintained that the number of sitting days was determined by the agenda before the House. He insisted that the government had sufficient time to clear its legislative business within the three‑day window.
Opposition leaders, however, recalled that the Budget Session in March was also abruptly curtailed midway.
The government had cited the Model Code of Conduct for the Ponda Assembly by‑election, announced for April 9, as the reason for adjourning the House sine die.
The Election Commission of India eventually annulled the by‑poll after the Bombay High Court ruled it illegal, noting that the MLA‑elect would have a serving term of less than a year.
Opposition parties said the attitude of the government reflects a pattern of avoiding scrutiny by restricting Assembly sittings.
The clash sets the stage for a stormy session beginning August 31, with the Opposition expected to press for longer sittings and wider discussion on public issues.
