Congress stalls Goa Assembly over govt’s ‘draconian’ circular

the goan I networkrPANAJIrrWith the government, especially Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar refusing to budge on the issue, Speaker Pramod Sawant was forced to adjourn the house as the din continued to prevent the conduct of business. rWhen the house first convened, the opposition tabled an adjournment motion before the office of the speaker, who initially said he would give his ruling on the motion after question hour. rAs soon as the proceedings of the Assembly began at 11.30 am, Leader of Opposition Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavalekar said, “We have moved an adjournment motion seeking withdrawal of the circular. We want a discussion to be held. This should be taken up first.” rFollowing this, Speaker Pramod Sawant said that the issue will come up for discussion on Wednesday. r“Before you have the notice, the calling attention motion moved by you on the subject has been admitted. There is lot of scope for discussion. You can also speak about it during the discussion on Governor’s speech”, Sawant said. rIgnoring his request, the Opposition continued with its demand to allow the adjournment motion. Their primary argument was that it is their right as representatives of the people to take up causes on behalf of the people with the department officials especially that of PWD and electricity. rThe ruckus includes taunts and shouts between the ruling and the opposition benches with members trading charges. rrRane punctures Cong pressure on govtrPORVORIM: Former leader of opposition Pratapsingh Rane left his assembly colleagues red faced and fuming after he castigated members of his own party for disrupting the assembly saying that the proceedings had left him ‘ashamed.’ rHis comments completely punctured the Congress party who for most of the day had the government on the backfoot with Chief Minister left to fend for himself in defending his ‘circular banning the summoning of government officials to the residences or private offices. >> See pg 3