Team Herald
PANJIM: As the controversy over the erection of statues at the Goa Legislative Assembly complex continues to simmer, with political parties trying to outdo each other, the State Legislative Assembly, has received five private member’s resolutions for installation of statues of various leaders, and has decided to revisit similar proposals it has received since Liberation.
After Deputy Speaker and BJP MLA Michael Lobo and NCP MLA Churchill Alemao moved resolutions for installation of a statue of the Father of Opinion Poll Dr Jack de Sequeira in the Assembly complex, a resolution signed by 16 Congress MLAs with a similar demand has also been moved before the Legislative office.
On the other hand, MGP MLA Deepak Pawaskar has filed a resolution demanding statues of Dr TB Cunha and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, for their contribution in the State freedom movement, and BJP MLA Rajesh Patnekar has moved a resolution for the statue of Shivaji Maharaj at the Assembly complex.
Addressing the press advisory committee on Thursday, Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant confirmed that five private member’s resolution demanding statues of various leaders at the Assembly complex have been moved before the State Assembly.
“Hence, we have decided to review or revisit all such similar resolutions that were moved in the Assembly since Liberation. We are in process of reviewing them,” Sawant said.
However, the Speaker said that a final decision on the number of private member resolutions to be accepted for the lot system will be decided by him. “I will decide how many resolutions will go for the lot system,” he said adding, “BJP party decision is not binding on me.”
The BJP core committee, including MLAs had passed a resolution against the installation of any statue in the Assembly complex. Sawant is part of the BJP core committee.
Apart from statues, there are seven other private member resolutions moved by MLAs.
The month-long Budget session of the State Assembly will commence from February 19 with the inaugural address by Goa Governor Dr Mridula Sinha. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will table the Budget 2018-19 on February 22.
Till date, 1608 questions have been received by the State Assembly, which include 996 unstarred and 612 starred questions. MLAs can submit questions till February 19.
On February 20 and 21, the Assembly will take up the motion of thanks on the Governors address, while on February 22, 23 and 26 there will be general discussion on Budget and thereafter demands of respective departments.
