PANAJI
Question Hour on Wednesday fizzled out as a boisterous Opposition stood it’s ground and objected to the postponement sought by the Industries Minister of a question related to the Coal Block allotted to Goa.
Speaker Rajesh Patnekar adjourned the House first for 15 minutes and later for the rest of the duration of Question Hour when the Opposition walked into the well of the House protesting against the decision to postpone the question.
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte insisted to know the reason why the minister was seeking postponement at the eleventh hour, when he had already given written answers which were circulated to the members.
He was joined by Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai and the duo proceeded to the well with all Opposition MLAs in tow, leading to the first adjournment for 15 minutes.
When the House reassembled, Khaunte, Sardesai and the entire Opposition again trooped to the well forcing the speaker to adjourn the proceedings again, this time for the whole duration of Question Hour.
As soon as the House convened on Tuesday, Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues and the Health Minister who also holds the industries portfolio sought postponement of the starred questions on Mhadei and the Coal Block issues.
But when Patnekar seemingly acceded to the request of the ministers, the Opposition raised a ruckus, pointing out that the rules of conduct of business did not permit ministers to postpone answering starred questions when they had already provided answers.
The Opposition then trooped to the well of the House and no more business of ‘Question Hour’ was transacted with the Speaker adjourning the proceedings.
