Rane disallows adjournment motion, chaos continues
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 06 April 2011 13:06 IST
The ongoing Assembly session was disrupted for the second consecutive day today as speaker Pratapsing Rane refused to admit the adjournment motion moved by the opposition to discuss the issue of detention of education minister Babush Monseratte.
“The House cannot discuss the issue as the minister was detained by the central excise and customs authorities. It comes under the purview of the central government and not the state”, ruled Rane while rejecting the motion.
The speaker also said it was not proper to discuss the issue when the matter was under investigation.
Monseratte was on Saturday detained by the customs authorities at Mumbai air port for carrying foreign currency in dollars and dinhars beyond the permissible limit. Though he was later released, the minister has been told to appear before the authorities with all the documents regarding his income.
Monseratte had claimed that the money was legitimate while admitting that he was not aware of the permissible limit.
Parrikar, while continuing protest, argued that they did not want to discuss the matter which is being investigated but the conduct of a local minister as it affects the state.
The opposition also demanded that Monseratte be sacked immediately.
Parrikar also alleged that 'someone' from Chief Minister’s office had called up Union Finance minister’s office seeking favour to release Monseratte.
"There should be a discussion on what quantum of money the minister was carrying and whose money it was," he said.
As the speaker continued refusing to allow discussion, the opposition then once again rushed to the well of the House shouting slogans.
Demands for the day were passed amidst chaos, before the speaker adjourned the House for a day.
