PANAJI
Opposition leader Yuri Alemao condemned the short duration of the upcoming budget session of the Goa legislative assembly accusing the government of running away from legislative accountability and uncomfortable questioning on the government's functioning.
Addressing the media after the BAC meeting, Alemao and Goa Foward Party's Vijai Sardesai, said Chief Cinister Pramod Sawant and his cabinet are afraid to face the Opposition.
Initially planned to be a five-day session, the upcoming budget session was further curtailed by a day due to the Ram Navami holiday on March 30.
Meanwhile Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Venzy Viegas who also attended Monday's BAC meet said, they demanded that the 3-day general discussion on the budget be pushed to the next session as it would cramp up proceedings and leave members, especially from the Opposition, no time to take up other important matters.
Alemao demands probe
into forest fires (subhead)
Leader of Opposition (LoP) Yuri Alemao has alleged that the recent forest fires is the handiwork of a mafia for illegal grabbing of land and demanded a high-level inquiry commission headed by a retired High Court Judge to probe the incidents.
Alemao also demanded that all the affected areas where green cover has been shaved off by the fires be notified as 'no development zones' and conversion of land to Settlement Zones or for Eco-Tourism Projects be barred.
Alemao alleged that he has information that a private forest with pristine trees, bush cover, numerous birds and reptiles was burnt down deliberately intended to sell in the furture Communidade land to builders at Soccoro in Bardez.
“The reports of fire in every taluka give scope to suspect foul play. The anti-environment and real estate mafia is eyeing prime cultivable lands to convert them into concrete jungles. It needs to be probed thoroughly,” Alemao said.
