Many people used to wonder why the Speaker of the Goa Assembly used to go through the following'Aye'ritual when passing a motion or bill. This is when the Speaker says - Those in favour of the motion/bill say Aye, (MLAs in favour chant Aye) Those against say No (MLAs against chant No). Then the Speaker says 'The Ayes (or Noes as the case may be) have it, the Ayes have it, the Ayes have it. The motion is passed / rejected.' In fact there were some who heard the phrase as 'The EYES have it...'
This phrase which originated in the House of Commons, the English parliament. It originated at a time when there were no amplification systems and the MPs voice needed to be heard if they wanted to raise an objection. So in order that their voice could be heard and they would have enough time for their objection to be heard by the Speaker of the House the Speaker would repeat the phrase, 'The ayes have it ...' THREE times. The current Speaker of the Goa Assembly Rajendra Arlekar has come up with an innovation at least in the Goa Assembly. He says the 'Ayes ...' phrase thus: 'Zanem hai mhuntat tanem hai mhunchem; Zanem nam mhuntat tanem na mhunchem. Zankam hai/nam mhuntlam tankam zai tashem zalem.' He says this phrase twice, (which is a mistake) and not thrice as should be done. Anyway now no one need be confused as to why the Eyes have it! Augusto Pinto Moira -- Augusto Pinto 40, Novo Portugal Moira, Bardez Goa, India E [email protected] P 0832-2470336 M 9881126350
