PANAJI
The move came after the MLAs accused the government of suppressing their voices by not taking up important issues for discussion. Margao MLA Digambar Kamat pointed to one such question on the Vani Agro project that was supposed to be answered on July 28 but was answered later and under a different department. “It was a clubbed question and was asked to the minister of industries as permission was given by IPB. It was supposed to come up on July 28..Instead it was changed to unstarred and answered on August 1,” said Kamat. Similarly, a question on collection of garbage along highways scheduled to be answered by the finance department was shifted to the Department of Science and Technology. Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane said Speaker, Anant Shet had not been able to control the House and that he was taking directions from ruling MLAs. There is a need to control the House, not as a party man but as an independent, as a judge. And that is not happening. It has to be seen that everyone gets a chance to speak”, said Rane. This sentiment was echoed by Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardesai as he pointed to the speaker taking directions from former speaker Rajendra Arlekar and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. Other MLAs that joined the no confidence motion included Alexio Reginaldo, Naresh Sawal, Rohan Khanute, Pandurang Madkaikar, Babu Kavlekar, Mickky Pacheco, Babush Monserrate and Jennifer Monseratte.
