Opposition MLAs dressed in black protest in the well of the House after 21 private members’ bills were not permitted to be introduced.
MAPUSA
The morning session of the Goa Legislative Assembly on Friday was virtually washed out after Opposition MLAs staged a noisy protest on the floor of the House, alleging that as many as 21 private members’ bills were not allowed to be introduced, including the Goa Protection of Agricultural Lands Bill drafted by Justice Ferdino Rebello.
The uproar forced Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar to adjourn the House three times – first for 10 minutes, then for 30 minutes, and finally for the entire morning session – as repeated appeals for order failed to calm protesting members.
Trouble began soon after the House assembled when Opposition legislators entered the well of the House carrying placards and shouting slogans against the government.
Dressed in black attire as a mark of protest, the MLAs accused the government and the Assembly secretariat of preventing the introduction of several private members’ bills.
Amid the din, the Speaker repeatedly urged the members to return to their seats and allow the proceedings to continue, assuring them that he would make a statement on the matter if order was restored.
“Please go back to your seats. Only then will I make a statement on the issue you have raised,” Gaonkar appealed.
However, the protests intensified as the legislators continued shouting slogans such as “Karo ya maro,” “Band karo… dadagiri band karo,” and “Amchi billam amkam zai,” demanding that their bills be permitted to be tabled in the Assembly.
Warning the protesting members, the Speaker said he would be compelled to take strict action if the disruptions continued. Despite the warning, the Opposition MLAs remained in the Well and continued raising slogans against the government.
According to the Opposition, a total of 21 private members’ bills were submitted by legislators but were not permitted to be introduced. They claimed that Viresh Borkar had moved six bills, Venzy Viegas five, Vijai Sardesai four, and Yuri Alemao three. In addition, one bill each had been submitted by Cruz Silva, Carlos Ferreira and Altone D’Costa.
Despite the turmoil, the Assembly managed to briefly conduct limited business before the adjournment. Only one starred question raised by Mayem MLA Premendra Shet was taken up, while two legislators were allowed to make brief mentions during Zero Hour.
With the protests showing no signs of abating, the Speaker eventually adjourned the House till 1 pm, effectively wiping out the entire morning session.
Opposition members later maintained that their protest would continue until the government allowed discussion and introduction of the pending private members’ bills, which they said were important for public interest and legislative accountability.
The developments set the stage for further confrontation in the Assembly as the budget session progresses.
