Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: The Goa Assembly today witnessed sharp exchanges after Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar reminded members that matters which are sub-judice or pending before courts cannot be discussed on the floor of the House, urging legislators to conduct proceedings with due respect to constitutional values, the law, and the dignity of all individuals.
“Matters that are sub-judice and pending consideration before a court of law are not open for discussion before this Legislative Assembly. Members are asked to conduct the business of the House with due regard to constitutional values, law and the dignity of all individuals,” Speaker Gaonkar said.
The ruling prompted Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao to raise a Point of Order, questioning why his starred question seeking details of Cabinet meetings and ex-post facto approvals had been disallowed. Alemao alleged that the government was weakening the legislative process and democracy by denying answers in the House, and questioned the secrecy surrounding Cabinet decisions. “What is the government trying to hide?” he asked, as opposition members expressed strong objections.
The exchange soon escalated into a heated debate, with opposition benches accusing the government of undermining legislative scrutiny. Responding to the concerns, Chief Minister assured the House that the question raised by the LoP would be taken up on Friday, January 16.
Raising a related concern, RGP MLA Viresh Borkar questioned the Speaker’s ruling barring discussion on sub-judice matters, arguing that people approach courts only when the government fails to listen. He warned that such restrictions would effectively silence legislators from raising public issues in the Assembly.
The Speaker, however, disallowed Borkar’s plea, reiterating the need to adhere strictly to Assembly rules and constitutional propriety, even as the House remained charged with arguments over transparency, accountability, and the scope of legislative debate.
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