Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira has criticised the Goa government for passing the state budget without adequate discussion in the Legislative Assembly, alleging that the opposition was denied the opportunity to raise issues affecting the people.
Ferreira said the budget had been pushed through “behind our backs,” without allowing opposition members to debate or question the proposals.
He said it was “deplorable” that the government did not accept the opposition’s request to pass a vote on account and postpone the detailed budget discussion to the monsoon session.
“Even if you are adjourning the assembly you must take a vote on account. Because vote on account gives them the budget provision for the next three months. Our demand when they were trying to pass the budget was also to go for a vote on an account and then we can discuss. Because when you have a budget session it is a longer session. The next session that they have will be a formality and will have a two day session just to meet the requirement of having a session every six months. That is not what we wanted, we wanted a full budget session, because in a full session, every demand we can talk,” Ferreira said.
He further alleged that the government cut short the process and proceeded directly with voting.
“Without giving us the chance, they cut short and there was no discussion and directly went in for vote and pushed us out and pushed the budget through behind our backs,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Ferreira acknowledged that with the model code of conduct coming into force for the by-election in Ponda constituency, the government might face limitations in responding fully to questions raised in the House.
However, he maintained that there was no need to curtail the Assembly session since the Legislature remained the supreme forum.
“The code of conduct is only applicable to the South Goa district in which the Ponda constituency falls. But there may be questions about the whole state that the government needs to answer. The government cannot give replies only about North Goa and Kushavati districts. During the code of conduct the government is not allowed to announce schemes or give assurances,” Ferreira said.
He added that while the House was supreme, it was also necessary for the Legislature to show due respect to the Election Commission as a constitutional authority.
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