PANJIM: Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that the winter session has to be convened before February 2, 2019.
The monsoon session of the State assembly was held between July 19 and August 3. As per law, there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sessions of the Assembly. For the current year, the sitting of the State Assembly has been of only 16 days.
Speaking to media persons at the sidelines of Goa Liberation Day event, Sawant said that tentatively assembly session has to be convened before February 2, 2019.
“If so, then tentatively, in the last week of January the Assembly session may take place,” he said adding that Governor Dr Mridula Sinha will have to summon the session 30 days in advance.
When asked about the duration of the sitting of the House, Speaker said that it is for the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) to decide.
He refused to speak on mandatory requirement of Chief Minister’s presence in the House. Responding to question on whether in absence of Chief Minister, a new House leader has to be nominated; Sawant said “It is the prerogative of the Government”.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has been undergoing medical treatment at his personal residence ever since he has been discharged from AIIMS on October 14. After a gap of two months, he had made his public appearance on December 16 when he visited construction site of ongoing works of Mandovi and Zuari bridges.
Meanwhile, being the first session of the year, it will begin with Governor’s address on the first day.
