Oppn urges guv to reconvene assembly to discuss, pass bills

Panaji: Congress and GFP have urged Goa governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju to reconvene the budget session of the legislative assembly so that discussion on the bills and the unfinished business of the House can be completed. The assembly session was abruptly curtailed for the Ponda byelection, which itself has been cancelled.

“Now, the byelections to the Ponda constituency stand cancelled consequent on the judgement of the high court. As a result, there should be no hindrance as projected earlier for the state assembly to function and transact the unfinished business before the House,” said opposition leader Yuri Alemao.

Alemao further said that suspension of legislative business has left vital matters regarding land resources, environment, demography and identity pending for discussion while crucial Bills that safeguard the state also remain blocked.

GFP president Vijai Sardesai has made a similiar plea to Raju, while also calling for a debate on the Goa Protection of Agricultural Lands Act, 2026, a private member’s bill he submitted on Feb 20 and which was drafted by former Allahabad high court chief justice Ferdino Rebello.

Sardesai also flagged the rescheduling of the monsoon session and its merger with the budget session, the abrupt curtailment of that session, and the passing of a full budget instead of a vote on account, as a sequence of events that severely damaged public confidence in Goa’s democratic processes.

He further raised concerns about govt reportedly planning to raise loans of approximately Rs 1,000 crore between April and June 2026 without adequate legislative scrutiny. “These are not routine matters. They concern public safety, financial responsibility and governance, and they demand immediate discussion on the floor of the House,” said Sardesai.