Goa Assembly session: No meals for lawmakers

Panaji, July 23 In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, some precautionary measures like no course meals for lawmakers, limited access to bureaucrats and debarring visitors from the assembly galleries, will be put in place for the one-day session of the Goa Assembly slated for July 27.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Speaker Rajesh Patnekar said that written guidelines regarding the SOPs being adopted would be put in place by the state legislature department soon.

"We have taken a few decisions after an official meeting. We have decided to limit the number of people into the assembly for the one-day session. One person per MLA, two per minister and four persons will be allowed to enter the Assembly premises with the Chief Minister," he said.

"No visitors will be allowed. We have also tried to reduce the expenditure at the same time. Therefore there will be no food served to the MLAs. Some snacks will be served though," the Speaker added.

Earlier this month, all 40 legislators across party lines unanimously agreed to curtail the monsoon session of the state assembly to one day in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. A ruling BJP MLA has been hospitalised after he was infected with the dreaded virus.

( With inputs from IANS )