PANJIM: The one-day special session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, on Tuesday, is expected to be stormy as the Opposition parties said they have moved an adjournment motion over the Mhadei issue.
The one-day session has been called to ratify the amendments to the Constitution of India falling within the purview of clause (d) of proviso of clause (2) of Article 368, proposed to be made by the Constitution (129th amendment) Bill, 2019 as passed by both houses of Parliament. The proceedings will start with Governor Satya Pal Malik’s address.
The Opposition Goa Forward, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Congress and Independent Rohan Khaunte have moved an adjournment motion stating, “We herby give notice of motion for adjournment on matter of urgent public importance for today January 7, 2020 under Rule 68 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of the Business of Goa Legislative Assembly.”
The letter is signed by MLAs Vijai Sardesai, Jayesh Salgaocar, Vinod Paliencar, Rohan Khaunte, Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, Digambar Kamat, Ravi Naik, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Pratapsingh Rane and Luizinho Faleiro.
The Opposition wants to discuss the approval/NOC given to Karnataka by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for taking up a drinking water project.
The Opposition claims there is likelihood of misuse of approval/NOC for setting up irrigation projects by Karnataka and will divert the west flowing River Mhadei into the east flowing River Malprabha.
“The move will increase salinity of rivers in Goa which will have adverse effects on ecology, agriculture, khazan lands and drinking water in the State of Goa,” the letter says.
Ahead of the Assembly session, the North Goa superintendent has issued an advisory against public meetings or people convening or collecting as an assembly.
The police department has also warned against carrying out processions or staging any demonstration on roads, streets or the freeways in Porvorim and Panjim. The prohibition will be enforced until the Assembly session ends. “Anyone intending to convene or collect such assembly will have to apply for permission,” said the statement.
