Letter to the Honourable Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly : By Averthanus D'Souza

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April 30th., 2003.


The Honourable  Speaker,
Goa Legislative Assembly,
Legislative Assembly Complex,
Porvorim,  Goa.

Honourable Speaker,

Re:   Norms for the Members of the Legislative Assembly.

The "Navhind Times"  of Goa  in its issue of April 29th., 2003 carried a
front page headline accusing Dr. Claude Alvares, Director of The Goa
Foundation  of extorting money from hoteliers.  Although it was not made
clear, it appears that this headline was, in fact, a report of an allegation
made in the august House of the Legislative Assembly by a Member, Mr. Agnelo
Fernandes.

As citizens, many of us are deeply perturbed that an elected representative
of the people has made use of the sacred precincts of the Legislative
Assembly to accuse a prominent citizen of Goa of a criminal offence, without
offering any evidence to substantiate his accusation.

There are several issues arising from this incident, for which we will be
grateful to have clarifications from The Speaker of the Assembly.

1. Is it acceptable that a Member of the Legislative Assembly hurls
unsubstantiated accusations against individual citizens without being called
upon by the Speaker to provide evidence in support of his accusations?

2. Is it ethical  for an elected representative  to use the august premises
of the Legislative Assembly to attack a citizen, who does not have the
opportunity to reply to the accusations in the House?

3. Is it not a gross violation of the privilege of the House for a member to
use his position in the Assembly to settle political scores against
individuals or organizations whom he considers inimical to his  political
interests?

While seeking your clarifications to these questions, permit me, Sir, to
express my personal opinion that the behaviour of the MLA, Mr. Agnelo
Fernandes  was not only a breach of the privilege of the House, but
constituted a grave abuse of the privilege of the Legislative Assembly.  To
my mind,  such behaviour of elected representatives in the Legislative
Assembly, not only expose the unethical standards of behaviour of the
individuals concerned, but they also demean the prestige of the Legislative
Assembly.   As citizens we are concerned about upholding the dignity and the
sanctity of the Legislative Assembly.

Since this is a matter impinging on the very basics of  democracy and
public decency,  I am taking the liberty of sharing this letter with the
Media and with other citizens,  so that a public debate might ensue to alert
the elected representatives of the people that the people of this State
expect a very high  level of  ethical performance from them, both inside and
outside the precincts of the Assembly.

While thanking you, Sir, for giving this matter your close personal
attention, and requesting a reply from you at your earliest convenience,  I
remain,

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

Mr. Averthanus D'Souza.


c.cs. to  1.  The Media.
2. Members of the Legislative Assembly.
3. Concerned citizens for ethical democratic values.