Oppn boycott clears way for passage of PWD, Ports grants

Panaji: Demands for grants of the Public Works Department, Ports Administration and Legal Metrology Department were passed by the Legislative Assembly on Friday as Opposition MLAs boycotted the proceedings of the day.

Earlier, the Speaker had to adjourn the House for the third time after Opposition MLAs refused to allow the House to function over the issue of admission of a Private Member’s Bill related to the Town and Country Planning Department.

RGP’s St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar strongly condemned the decision of the government and the authorities concerned for not allowing the introduction of Private Member Bills.

“The right to introduce Private Member Bills is a fundamental parliamentary instrument available to Members of the Opposition to raise crucial issues and propose legislative solutions in the interest of the people. Denying this democratic space weakens the spirit of debate, accountability and participatory governance in the Assembly,” he said.

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said, “Govt fails to introduce ‘The Goa Protection of Agricultural Lands Act, 2026’ Bill—drafted by Justice Ferdino Rebello and moved by me and other Opposition MLAs. We want justice to protect our Sobit Goem and agriculture land. We will fight for our Goem.”