Curtailing the duration of the ensuing Monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly is a very wrong move and does not augur well in the framework of democracy. Besides the current Pandemic, Goa is grappling with so many very serious issues and the Legislative Assembly is the proper forum for the MLAs to raise and debate issues concerning the public.
That in recent years the quality of the debates has deteriorated is another issue. Sessions have to be meaningful and fruitful in the interest of the State and not merely a cosmetic exercise to only fulfill that constitutional requirement that the Legislative Assembly has to meet once in six months. We elect Legislators to debate issues concerning the people and to enact good laws. The Assembly is the democratic forum where elected representatives of the people must hold debates that affect the people, an opportunity for members to discuss government policy, proposed new laws and topical issues of the day. Debates are designed to assist MLAs to reach an informed decision on a subject. Votes can then be held to conclude a debate which may involve then passing or rejecting a proposed new law. But our Ministers and MLAs are content inaugurating culverts and toilets while breaking a coconut at the hot-mixing of roads has become their hobby. Stifling debate by a lack-lustre, ill-informed Assembly only leads to the current malaise and downward spiral we find ourselves in and is anti-democratic.It ignores the aspirations and best interests of the people and leads to a more dictatorial style of government with poor laws, lack of accountability, scrutiny and transparency. It erodes any trust that the public may have in their MLAs. It is an irony that many of our Ministers and MLAs struggle even in the short sessions to keep themselves awake during the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. What a shame! In a way we deserve the political rot because sadly we knowingly elect MLAs who are by the people, of the people but definitely NOT For the people. If elected law makers can be so uncaring and abdicate their sacred and democratic duties how can they expect other institutions of Government and the people to respect the poorly enacted laws that they legislate? Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
