PANAJI: Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai has strongly objected to the State Budget being tabled on Friday, March 6, alleging that the move breaks the long-standing convention of reserving the day for Private Members’ Business in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Addressing the media after the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Wednesday, Sardesai said Friday has traditionally been observed as Private Members’ Day, allowing MLAs to introduce and discuss their own Bills and resolutions. However, the Budget Session will commence with the presentation of the State Budget on that day. He alleged that by doing so, the government has curtailed discussion time and avoided important issues, including a Private Member’s Bill on land protection.
Sardesai said the Chief Minister maintained that Friday was a good day to begin the proceedings. He added that Goa is a secular state and the government cannot base the Budget presentation on “muhurt.”
Raising concerns over the functioning of the House, Sardesai said that 32 portfolios are scheduled to be handled in a single day. He said the Budget, which is usually debated over three days, will this time be discussed for only two days.
Sardesai said, “We have asked that ruling MLAs finish within five minutes, and the Chief Minister has agreed,” adding that the Assembly is a “temple of democracy” and its dignity must be upheld.
Speaking about the proposed Land Protection Bill, he said it is a Private Member’s Bill and must follow due procedure, including scrutiny by the Law Department.
Sardesai also raised concerns about development in the state and the need for planned growth. Referring to the Regional Plan 2021, he said that the classification of VP1 and VP2 allows a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.60 and 0.80, respectively. “If there is a 10-floor building or 300 FAR, then how is it a village?” he asked, noting that RP 2021 is now discussing increased FAR. Planned development must include clear provisions.
