By IANS,
Panaji : Opposition members Tuesday disrupted proceedings in the Goa legislative assembly over the issue of Education Minister Atanasio alias Babush Monserrate’s detention last week by Mumbai airport customs for allegedly carrying crores of rupees worth of foreign exchange.
Calling Monserrate a ‘mini Hassan Ali’ – after the Pune-based alleged money launderer who is under Enforcement Directorate probe – BJP leader Manohar Parrikar told reporters that the education minister could be a possible conduit for illegal monies for several ministers and politicians from Goa.
Earlier, Parrikar told the state assembly that the seizure of large volumes of foreign exchange from the minister – who was on his way to Dubai – was significant in view of the Supreme Court of India-monitored probe into money laundering and Forex violations.
Asking Speaker Pratapsingh Rane to adjourn the Question Hour, he said: “It has been three days and there is no statement from the government. There are questions being raised on whether members of the house are supporting smuggling.”
The opposition members staged a walkout after the speaker turned down their request for adjourning the Question Hour.
Speaking to reporters subsequently, Parrikar quoting media reports said that Monserrate should resign or be dropped from the ministry in the light of allegations of money laundering.
“How can we allow someone who is being accused of smuggling to sit in the House?” Parrikar said, adding the opposition would not allow the house to function until the minister resigned from office.
“He could be a conduit for parking money from minister and politicians abroad. He is a mini Hassan ali… a Babush Ali,” Parrikar said, adding that a union minister had tried to pressurize the team of customs officials who had detained Monserrate on Saturday at Mumbai airport.
Responding to queries from the media, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said he was willing to make a statement in the house on the issue.
“The minister has given me the original copy of the customs panchanama. It shows that he had about Rs.22 lakh which was in excess of the limits which one is supposed to carry. I can table that in the assembly too,” Kamat said.
Asked if he would tell Monserrate to resign in face of the controversy, Kamat said: “He has been served a notice by the customs officials, which he is going to respond to.”