Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 22: With the BJP-led government set to introduce 13 bills during the three-day monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, opposition parties are pushing for a discussion on unregulated land conversion and other issues, including the state's law and order situation.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Friday, after a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), that the government plans to introduce bills concerning reforms and increased budgetary allocations for various departments.

"The bills will be introduced on the first day and passed on the second day. These bills will be passed in the assembly and there are routine questions for discussions. It is the speaker's right to decide which ones to take up and which ones not to," Sawant said.

Assembly Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar, who chaired the BAC meeting, said he would remain neutral and allow opposition members to raise issues in the House.

Gaonkar said the opposition had submitted a request for a discussion on Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, but remained non-committal on whether it would be taken up.

"Some of the members have given written representation for short duration discussions and I have requested them that we should have a constructive discussion. We will look at the importance of the issues and then we will put them up in the House," the Speaker said.

He added that the House would decide how much time should be allotted for discussions.

"I have told all the parties that first the question hour must progress properly and after that we can have discussions on the subjects. There is zero hour, calling attention and other tools that can be used to raise concerns," Gaonkar said.

However, Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao criticised the government's approach to the session, calling it a "ritual" meant primarily to facilitate the passage of government business.

"This assembly session is a ritual, a namesake for govt to pass its business. We have repeatedly asked for the session to be lengthy. This dadagiri was seen in the way they passed the state budget without a discussion," Alemao said.

Alemao said the opposition had also urged the Speaker to permit a discussion on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

AAP MLA Venzy Viegas said the Speaker had acknowledged the opposition's requests and assured members that they would be given an opportunity to raise their concerns on the floor of the House.

"The speaker has acknowledged our request and given us an assurance that he will give us time to raise our issues on the floor of the House. People should make time and come here to the assembly and watch what is happening," Viegas said.

RGP MLA Viresh Borkar, who has also sought a discussion on Section 39A of the TCP Act, said the Speaker had assured members that he would remain neutral and allow the opposition to speak.

The opposition parties had also requested that one day be set aside for private members' resolutions. However, the demand has been ruled out.