Team Herald
PANJIM: The united opposition registered its dissent before the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the State Legislative Assembly on the State government’s decision to pass the Budget 2020-21 without discussion during the one-day monsoon session scheduled on July 27. The opposition has demanded a Vote on Account for four months and a longer session in December.
The BAC, headed by Speaker Rajesh Patnekar, that met on Wednesday also saw the opposition – Congress, Goa Forward Party (GFP) and MGP – demanding a discussion on three crucial issues – management of COVID pandemic, economic crisis and environmental issues related to felling of over 2.5 lakh trees for various projects. The government has, however, not agreed to the demands.
Speaking to media persons post the meeting, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said he has submitted in writing his dissent to BAC against the government decision to pass the Budget without discussion. “The State Budget needs to be reset taking into consideration the current pandemic. It is irrelevant to go ahead with the Budget,” he said.
Kamat said he has urged BAC that a full-fledged Assembly session be called in November-December and that the Budget, with revised estimates, be passed during that session after a detailed discussion.
“It is very important that the one-day session must give utmost priority to the issues like COVID pandemic, financial condition of the State, revival of economy, environmental issues like proposed projects passing through protected areas, double tracking of railway lines, etc. These issues need to be discussed and cannot be delayed,” Kamat said.
The former Chief Minister said that issues and business such as passing of bills, etc must be undertaken in the next session with a longer duration.
The three-week long Monsoon session has been curtailed to one day in view of rising COVID cases in the State.
GFP president and MLA Vijai Sardesai said that under the cover of the pandemic, the government wants to pass an anti-Goan agenda in one day that includes seven ordinances and five bills, Demands for Grants and the Budget.
“Government needs to reset the revenue and expenditure receipts considering the current economic crisis. We just cannot pass the budget,” Sardesai said.
“We have demanded that the Assembly pass Vote on Account for four months; but government is not ready. They want to murder the democracy,” Sardesai said, reiterating that he still demands that a virtual Assembly session be conducted.
Sardesai said the government has kept on hold Bills pertaining to single-window clearance for Investment Promotion Board and Amendment to the Panchayat Raj Act with regards to occupancy certificate.
MGP MLA Ramakrishna Dhavalikar also said that Assembly should pass a Vote on Account for four months, and the session discuss the COVID pandemic, financial crisis and environmental issue.
