Jailed ex-minister of Goa Pacheco can attend session: Speaker

Goa Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar today made it clear that the jailed legislator, Fransisco Miccky Pacheco, would be allowed to attend the coming session of the legislature if he applied.
Pacheco is currently undergoing six months' imprisonment for slapping a government officer.
"Miccky has to apply for it (attending the Assembly). There is no restriction on him. We can allow him if he applies," Arlekar told PTI.
Earlier in the day, ruling BJP said Pacheco should be allowed to participate in the session.
The monsoon session of Goa assembly is scheduled from July 27 to August 14.
He has already indicated that he wants to attend the session as he has filed nine Legislative Assembly Questions.

The legislature department sources said Pacheco sent the questions from Sada sub-jail where he is lodged. Sources stated that all the questions are related to the development in his constituency.

Pacheco, who was the Minister for Rural Development agency, had to resign after his conviction. He surrendered before a court here on June 1 and was sent to jail after being on the run for two months. Earlier, the Supreme Court had upheld his sentence.
Goa BJP chief Vinay Tendulkar said in the morning that Pacheco should not be stopped from attending the session.
"He is representing his constituency and there are several issues in that area which need to be discussed in the House," said Tendulkar.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda had been allowed to participate in the legislature proceedings despite being jailed in corruption case, Tendulkar reminded.