the goan I network
MAPUSA
The ‘formalin in fish’ conundrum is refusing to die down and on Thursday made a tumultuous entry into the hallowed precincts of the Goa Legislative Assembly by washing out virtually the entire proceedings of the Monsoon Session’s opening day.
The ban on fish imports imposed by the Manohar Parrikar-led government on Wednesday failed to have any effect on belligerent Congress MLAs, who insisted on a discussion before any other business, a demand the Speaker Pramod Sawant refused to grant.
Sawant adjourned the House for the day in the afternoon, refusing to entertain the 16 Congress MLAs’ notice for an adjournment motion on the ‘formalin in fish’ issue.
Earlier in the morning, the Opposition Congress forced four adjournments after they protested the Speaker’s decision not to allow the discussion and repeatedly rushed to the well of the House.
Setting the tone for the day, Leader of the Opposition, Babu Kavlekar pressed the Speaker to take up the Adjournment Motion moved by all 16 MLAs of the Congress on the ‘formalin in fish’ issue. Sawant, however, called for the Question Hour and began to read the first question listed for the day.
Stressing that the issue was of public importance, Kavlekar demanded that the Speaker take up the issue before transacting any other business in the House.
“We want the issue of formalin in fish to be given top priority. It’s an issue which affects the lives of so many Goans. We can take up the Question Hour later. I request you to kindly allow us to discuss the issue on priority,” Kavlekar said addressing the chair.
However, the Speaker, said that he will go as per the business of the House and refused to allow the Opposition to have their way.
While the Speaker stuck to his guns, the Leader of the Opposition also refused to budge and was soon joined by all the Congress MLAs who were up on their feet demanding that the formalin in fish issue be taken up first.
“What is happening in Goa is unprecedented. The fish mafia is killing the Goans. These are the merchants of greed, evil and horror. We as MLAs of the House should come together and oppose…” said Luizinho Faleiro, amidst the din.
Faleiro was joined by Aleixo Reginald Lourenco and Ravi Naik who vociferously appealed to the Speaker to take up the issue for discussion.
After noticing that the Speaker was not relenting to their demand, all the Opposition MLAs rushed to the well of the House forcing the Speaker to adjourn it.
When the House reassembled at 12 noon, a belligerent Congress refused to cower down forcing another adjournment. This logjam between the Speaker and the Opposition continued through the day forcing two more adjournments before proceedings were declared closed for the day in the post-lunch afternoon session.
The entire morning session, during which the Question Hour and Obituary references were listed, got virtually washed out. Only one question asked by BJP’s Bicholim MLA, Rajesh Patnekar, pertaining to Goa Bhavan in Mumbai was taken up.
At least four Congress MLAs Digambar Kamat, Isidore Fernandes, Filipe Neri Rodrigues and Kavlekar as well, declined to ask their questions joining issue with the demand that ‘formalin in fish’ matter be taken before all other business.
When Question Hour ended at 12.30, Sawant hurriedly began to read out the Obituary References starting with the one to veteran Parliamentarian and Congressman Shantaram Naik, who passed away in June.
The call for a minute’s silence to pay respects to the memory of Naik and sixteen other personalities who passed away this year, was the only time that the Speaker Pramod Sawant succeeded in ensuring the obeisance from the Opposition Congress MLA.
