PANAJI
Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar on Monday issued a stern warning to legislators against defying the Chair and entering the Well of the House, saying such behaviour would not be tolerated and urging all MLAs to follow the rules and allow the Assembly to function smoothly.
The warning came after Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, during the Question Hour earlier in the day, challenged a ruling given by the Chair and entered the Well, prompting the Speaker to caution legislators against disrupting proceedings. Alemao, along with other opposition MLAs had entered the Well over disallowing question pertaining to the NDZ areas.
“Despite the ruling given by the Chair, the LoP challenged the ruling and entered the Well of the House. Such behaviour will not be tolerated,” Gaonkar said.
He said the Assembly was providing legislators with several opportunities to raise issues and stressed that members were required to conduct themselves in accordance with the Rules.
“The House is providing MLAs with several opportunities to raise their issues. All MLAs must follow the rules and allow the House to function smoothly,” he said.
Meanwhile, RGP MLA Viresh Borkar raised a Point of Order seeking the status of a breach of privilege motion he had moved against the Speaker in March.
Borkar had accused the Speaker of serious procedural violations in connection with the conduct of the Budget Session, which was curtailed on March 16 in view of the proposed Ponda by-election.
Borkar questioned how a ruling could have been issued on his privilege motion without a hearing. He said he had moved the breach of privilege motion over the curtailment of the Budget Session and pointed out that, under the Rules, the Deputy Speaker was required to conduct the hearing.
The Speaker, however, said the matter had already been decided in accordance with the Rules.
“The matter is already decided as per the Rules. If you want, you can seek the details under RTI or in any other manner. You can ask the Secretary what the order is,” Gaonkar said.
He maintained that the breach of privilege motion had been moved against the Speaker and had been decided as per the Rules.
