MAPUSA
The monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly began on a stormy note on Monday, with the Opposition staging a vociferous protest over the Speaker’s decision to disallow a question on land conversions and No Development Zones, eventually leading to the marshalling out of three Opposition MLAs.
The ruckus erupted during Question Hour after Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar disallowed Question No 4B, which sought details on the declaration and interpretation of No Development Areas under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act and the Regional Plan 2021.
The question, jointly submitted by six Opposition MLAs from the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Revolutionary Goans Party, sought extensive details including taluka-wise information on areas declared as No Development Zones, survey numbers, development permissions and technical approvals issued over the last three years.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao immediately raised a Point of Order, questioning why the question had been disallowed despite the growing controversy over land conversions across the State.
“Lands are getting converted in a big way in the State. It was an important question which has been disallowed. Why is the government not allowing questions which people want answers to?” Alemao asked.
Giving a detailed ruling, Speaker Gaonkar said he had no doubt about the intention of the MLAs in raising the issue, but pointed out that the scope of information sought was extremely wide as it covered the entire State. More importantly, he said the question touched upon matters that were sub judice before the High Court.
The Speaker cited the relevant provisions of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the House, including Rules 9B and 16B, while explaining his decision to disallow the question.
Gaonkar also indicated that if the Opposition members felt that their rights or privileges had been affected by the ruling, they could pursue the matter through a breach of privilege motion.
The ruling, however, failed to pacify the Opposition. All six Opposition MLAs rushed to the well of the House and raised slogans, strongly objecting to the Speaker’s decision. Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai was the only Opposition member who did not join the protest and remained seated.
With the protest disrupting proceedings, the Speaker adjourned the House for 10 minutes. When the House reassembled, the Opposition members again entered the well and continued their protest despite repeated appeals from the Speaker to return to their seats.
As the confrontation continued, Gaonkar directed the marshals to remove the protesting members from the House. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Congress MLA Altone D’Costa and RGP MLA Viresh Borkar were subsequently marshalled out.
The opening-day confrontation has put land conversion, Section 39A and the State’s No Development Zone regime firmly at the centre of the three-day monsoon session, with the Opposition accusing the government of avoiding questions on an issue it claims has major implications for Goa’s land and development pattern.
