Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: Proceedings in the Goa Legislative Assembly were disrupted on Monday after Opposition MLAs protested against the Speaker’s decision to disallow a Question Hour query on No Development Zones (NDZs) under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao raised a Point of Order and questioned the decision, maintaining that the issue needed to be discussed in the House. Opposition MLAs subsequently entered the well and raised slogans in protest.
The question, submitted by six MLAs, sought details on the declaration and interpretation of NDZs under Section 39A and the Regional Plan 2021, including information on survey numbers, development permissions and technical clearances.
Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar said the question was disallowed under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the House. He cited Rules 9B and 16B and said the matter was sub judice before the Bombay High Court at Goa.
The Speaker referred to PIL Writ Petition No. 53 of 2024 filed by the Goa Foundation against the State of Goa and others, saying the pending court proceedings were the reason the question could not be admitted.
The Opposition, however, remained dissatisfied with the ruling and continued its protest inside the House. The disruption eventually led to the Assembly being adjourned for 10 minutes.
The NDZ issue has emerged as a major point of confrontation between the government and Opposition during the ongoing Assembly session.
