PANAJI
The three-day monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly begins on Monday amid indications of heated exchanges over the government's proposed anti-conversion legislation and law and order issues in the wake of Friday night's firing incident in Porvorim.
The session will run from August 31 to September 2 and features a cramped agenda with the Opposition expected to corner the government over the recent shooting attack on casino company director Srinivas Nayak in Porvorim and alleged deterioration in the State's law and order situation.
Two days after the attack, the police had yet to crack the case, prompting sharp criticism from Opposition parties. The issue is likely to dominate proceedings and set the tone for the short session on day one.
Adding to the political temperature is the proposed Goa Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Bill, which recently received Cabinet approval. The legislation has attracted opposition not only from Opposition parties but also from some members supporting the government and Goa's Catholic Church-linked organisations.
Independent MLA Aleixo Reginald Lourenco and Cortalim MLA Anton Vaz have publicly voiced reservations about the proposed law.
As many as 15 government Bills, including the anti-conversion legislation, are slated for introduction during the session.
Besides the anti-conversion Bill, other legislations the government proposes to move include the Goa Advocates Protection Bill, amendments to GST Act, and laws on registration, municipal administration, cooperative societies, land revenue, motor vehicle taxation, private universities and land acquisition.
On the opening day, the Assembly will also pay tributes to those who passed away recently, including Jennifer Monserrate, who died in July while a serving member of the House, noted singers Asha Bhosle and Suman Kalyanpur, and Dr Ketan Bhatikar.
An obituary reference motion will be taken up before the House proceeds with the listed business.
Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar has said both treasury and Opposition benches will get adequate opportunity to raise issues during the session.
He said, the House is scheduled to take up 883 starred and unstarred questions, along with Zero Hour submissions, calling attention motions and the government business.
The Appropriation Bill relating to supplementary demands for grants is also expected to be tabled and passed.
With Assembly elections drawing closer, the anti-conversion Bill and law and order issues are expected to sharpen political divisions both inside and outside the House.
