PANJIM: Despite pressure from the combined Opposition, Speaker Rajesh Patnekar on Tuesday disallowed the adjournment motion on the ‘urgent’ issue of Mhadei saying the motion ‘was not in order’.
The one-day special session of the Goa Legislative Assembly called to ratify a Central Bill witnessed hectic activity from the Opposition benches who demanded adjournments to discuss the Mhadei issue.
After the ratification of central Bill on SC, ST reservation in State Assemblies, the opposition led by leader of the opposition Digambar Kamat and GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai moved the adjournment motion on Mhadei, however, the Speaker did not allow it.
“Mhadei issue is very important and we need discussion on the matter,” Kamat said in the House. While the Opposition kept demanding a discussion, the Speaker gave his ruling on the motion.
“The motion has been moved on approvals given, increase in salinity and adverse effects on ecology etc etc, whereas the adjournment motion should be on a single specific matter as per rules,” Speaker Patnekar said.
He continued, “The approval given by MoEF to Karnataka for taking up so called drinking water project on river Mhadei can be discussed with various parliamentary devices such as calling attention, zero hour mention and also legislative question. They will have sufficient opportunity to focus the attention of the House on the said subject.”
“The motion of subject matter is being dealt by the MoEF&CC and not State government. Also, the matter is continuing for quite some time and hence cannot be taken up by adjournment motion. It is also not a matter of recent occurrence. The opportunity for discussion will arise during business in a short time,” the Speaker said .
He said that this special session was called to pass Central government Bill amendments and hence “the adjournment motion is not in order for the above cited reason and therefore I disallow the notice of adjournment motion”.
Following the Speaker’s ruling the Opposition raised slogans in the House, displaying placards saying “Amchi Mhadei amka jay.. divche na re divche na.”
Addressing the media after the session, the Speaker said the motion was disallowed on one simple reason that the session was summoned for a special reason.
“Today’s session was called for a special reason to pass a Central Bill before January 10. The Business Advisory Committee meeting was held yesterday wherein the Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat, MGP’s Sudin Dhavalikar and Goa Forward’s Vijai Sardesai were present,” he said. None of them spoke on the issue yesterday, he added.
Patnekar said that everyone is trying to solve the issue. So there was no hurry.
