Assembly prorogued to ward off political crisis in Govt

Panaji, Jan 17 (UNI) Governor S C Jamir today prorogued the Goa Legislative Assembly with immediate effect on the recommendation of the State Cabinet late last night.

Informed sources told UNI that the Governor had prorogued the House under section 174 (a)(II) of the Constitution of India.

This gives a breather to the Congress-led government, headed by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who was facing a crisis of stability following resignations of three ministers and a parliamentary secretary yesterday in what was believed to be a banner of revolt against the Government.

The resignations, however, had not reached the offices of the Chief Minister, Governor or the Legislature Secretariat.

Attempts were on to ward off the crisis with the arrival of AICC General Secretary B K Hari Prasad, who was negotiating with the coalition partners to sort out their grievances.

Meanwhile, NCP chief Dr Wilfred D'Souza was authorised by three ministers and two legislators to negotiate with the Congress leadership to redress their grievances, which include scrapping of the controversial Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat.

They are also demanding removal of Finance Minister Dayanand Narvekar and PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, who were responsible for the current imbroglio on various issues.

Sources said the government could issue an ordinance later in place of the Appropriation Bill which could not be taken up in the House following its prorogation today.

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