Speaker disallows adjournment motion moved by Opposition

PANJIM: Goa Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Wednesday disallowed adjournment motion moved by the opposition demanding discussion on the allegations of corruption levelled by the Speaker against Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude and also the expletives used by the Minister in an audio clip.

Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai had moved the motion under Rule 68 of Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business of the Goa Legislative Assembly, demanding discussion on serious allegation regarding misappropriation of funds by the Department of Art and Culture, while giving special financial assistance (grants) for organising cultural events. 

He also wanted discussion about the alleged audio clip of the Minister wherein he was heard of using expletives and threatening a government officer (Director of Tribal Affairs) for conducting official programmes in the Minister’s constituency. 

As soon as the third day’s session started, Sardesai urged the Speaker to suspend the question-hour and to take up discussion on his adjournment motion since the allegations made by the Speaker and the Minister were of serious nature.

However, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that under Rule 69 of Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business of the Goa Legislative Assembly, the Speaker’s consent was necessary to adjourn the business of the House. He pointed out that the Speaker himself has been named in the motion and therefore it cannot be allowed.

As Sardesai continued pressing for a discussion on the matter of urgent importance, the Speaker told him that he had disallowed it and took up question-hour.

Last week, Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar along with panchayat members from his Canacona constituency had accused Art and Culture minister Govind Gaude of his alleged involvement in siphoning of grants belonging to the Directorate of Art and Culture. Tawadkar had alleged that grants were released to some cultural organisations from villagers of Shristhal, Cotigao and Gaondongrem from Canacona taluka, without them holding the cultural programmes.

The Speaker said that he had raised the issue when sarpanchas and panchayat members from his Canacona constituency brought it to his notice.

Tawadkar said that the issue was now over since the Art and Culture Minister has assured to investigate the matter.

HERALD OPINION

The Assembly is a House of hope: Corruption, Tiger Reserve & Mhadei are issues of accountability and have to be discussed

The legislature is a critical pillar of democracy. It is the only forum where law makers who are representatives of the people have the right and the duty, to discuss and deliberate issues of  deep public concern, policy matters and legislations.

The government is currently grappling with 

8 Allegations levelled against the Art and Culture Minister for funds transferred to different cultural groups who have not even carried out the performances

8 There are widespread  critical concerns over environmental disasters in villages, erosion of the the soil, destruction of forests,  destruction of rivers die to illegal sand mining

8      Goa wants to know what concrete steps have been taken by the government to prevent  the diversion of   the Mhadei waters

8 There are several mining villages which have multiple concerns and demands including not allowing mining trucks to plunder their way through narrow village roads  and removing agricultural fields and temples out of the area of mining leases

8 And above all, Goans deserve the basic respect of  getting to know how much longer will it take for a High Court order to create a Tiger Reserve will be implemented, given  the fact that the State government has moved the Supreme Court to quash this order

8     It is imperative  on the part of both the opposition to rise in one voice and not rest till these issues are successfully discussed; and the ruling party to pro actively be ready to answer questions

8     The ecosystem of accountability must be established and common Goans especially the downtrodden, weak and marginalised are looking up to the Speaker to be the torch bearer of justice. Afterall the Assembly in the People's House. And it is a House of hope