_____ From: Averthan D'Souza [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 11:53 AM Subject: Abuse of Parliamentary Privileges. Dear Editor, The accusation made by the Leader of the Opposition that Naxalites are gaining ground in Goa has already evoked a swift and unambiguous response from Goan citizens who are struggling to stem the tide of environmental degradation by the mining industry. This is welcome and encouraging. The aspect of abusing Parliamentary privileges, however, is something that somehow has missed the general public. An Ad-Hoc Committee of the Legislature to hear public views on the functioning of the Home Department was the occasion for the Chairman of this Ad-Hoc Committee to misuse his position by making unsubstantiated accusations against citizens who are legitimately protesting the encroachments of the mining industry in Goa. In particular, the Chairman named an individual and accused him of being a Naxalite who was importing Naxalism into Goa. In other Democracies, a House Committee Hearing is a solemn, and quasi judicial process in which the Committee seeks to assess the views of concerned citizens on specific issues of government policy. The Chairman of such a House Committee NEVER misuses his position to hurl accusations against anybody - individual or group. His role is clearly defined by the Rules governing such "Hearings" The other members of the Committee are also required to observe a strict protocol. The so-called House Ad-Hoc Committee of the Goa Legislature appears to be a public "free for all" where anyone and his uncle can say anything on any subject which s/he chooses. Hence the atmosphere of a "durbar" which has characterized the recent exercises of the Goa State Assembly. The lack of proper rules to govern the public "hearings" and the lack of procedures has degraded this recent attempt to give the impression that the Assembly is serious about public participation in the framing of policies. From the reports appearing in the Press it appears that the entire exercise is an eye wash. The point at issue here, however, is the fact that the Leader of the Opposition, as the Chair of this particular Ad-Hoc Committee has flouted all norms and misused his position to make unsubstantiated allegations against citizens who are exercising their legitimate rights to draw the attention of the Government to areas which need attention. The Speaker of the House and the Chief Minister should formulate clear regulations to govern the workings of the House Committees. Such "hearings" should be treated as sacred and should not be used by politicians to give vent to their own personal agendas. The House Committee should be seen to be objective and unbiased rather than a public forum in which charges and counter-charges are traded. Yours truly, Averthanus L. D'Souza, D-13, La Marvel Colony, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004. Tel: 2453628.
