Goa: Scribes fume as Speaker gags media from Assembly coverage

Speaker Rajendra Arlekar has imposed a partial ban on still photographers during the session.

As per the directive, the photographers were permitted to take snaps only during the Question Hour, contrary to the earlier practice of allowing unhindered coverage.

The local cable channels which used to cover the Assembly proceedings live, would now be given the live feed by the Assembly staff, which was vetted by the Speaker.

A delegation led by the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) President Pandurang Gaonkar met Arlekar requesting him to lift the ban. The Speaker, however, said "We can review the decision on Monday".

Meanwhile, independent legislator Vijay Sardesai moved a calling attention motion against the restrictions, which was not entertained by the Speaker.

In his notice to the motion, Sardesai termed the decision of the Speaker as the "era of censorship in BJP government regime".

Almost 1500 questions will be tabled before the House during the span of the 20 working days of the month-long session.