Sopte irks Azgaonkar with ‘commission’

PORVORIM: Tourism minister Manohar Azgaonkar and Congress’s Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte were engaged in a wordy duel during the question hour on Thursday as the latter alleged that someone has been seeking 30% commission to register tours and travels.

The moment Sopte said, “commission”, Azgaonkar asked him not to make baseless allegations and instead name and prove who was demanding commission.

The duo had an heated exchange even as speaker Pramod Sawant asked them to calm down. Sopte said three persons linked to the tourism department told him about commission being sought. “He is talking rubbish. Prove your allegations,” Azgaonkar said.

With the both raising their voices in a bid to outdo the other, the Speaker ruled that nothing would go on record.

Earlier, Sopte’s question about empanelment of agencies by state-level marketing and promotion committee (SLMPC) led to heated exchange of words. Sopte complained that he was not being given proper replies. Two different figures were given to a question pertaining to expenses incurred towards foreign tours.

Speaker said officers sitting in the gallery should take notice and give correct replies to questions tabled. If by mistake a wrong figure is given, it should be corrected, he said

Sopte had first sought to know the procedure followed in the composition of the SLMPC, how many days in advance the meeting agenda is circulated and other related questions. Sopte kept questioning the minister stating there was a reason why was seeking finer details.

Azgaonkar said he has to study the entire file to give replies to the MLA. “It is easier for someone who has studied LLB to read this file but for me, its like I’m studying for LLB.”

Tourism minister’s comment to make light of the situation was not taken lightly by the Congress legislators who protested strongly against the minister's statement. The issue was closed with the minister offering to lay the file on the table of the House.