Opposition corners govt over ‘failure on all fronts’

Panaji: Opposition MLAs on Tuesday targeted the state government over issues such as Mhadei, financial debt in the state treasury, unemployment, failure to control drug menace and protect interest of Sanjivani sugar factory, sugarcane farmers and dairy farmers.

Speaking on the thanksgiving motion on Governor’s address in the state legislative assembly, the opposition benches alleged that the Pramod Sawant-led government has failed to protect the interest of Goa on the Mhadei river water diversion issue.

Goa Forward Party leader Vijai Sardesai alleged that the government is trying to put the state economy and unemployment issues on the backburner by delivering speeches on nationalism and citizenship. “The government is not bothered about Goans, as it does not have ‘goenkarponn’. The ruling party has prepared menu of rates for government jobs,” he alleged.

Sardesai charged that there is incompetency and superiority complex among the cabinet ministers. He said that the financial debt of the state has reached at Rs 24,928 crore. “The whole episode of the Centre giving letter to Karnataka for diversion of water from Mhadei basin is nothing but selling off of Goa’s lifeline,” he alleged.

Congress MLA Luizinho Faliero said that the Centre has ditched Goans by issuing certain permission to Karnataka for Mhadei water diversion. He charged the government officials of sabotaging assurances given by the ministers on the floor of the House.

Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte alleged that the administration has miserably failed and there are no proper policies in place to tackle issues like unemployment, promotion of IT industry etc. He said that the government has failed to resolve the issue of drug menace, Mhadei water diversion, unemployment and also failed to attract investment in industrial and IT sectors. “The Chief Minister had given me an assurance that the government will conduct probe into the irregularities that have been taking place in communidade lands. However, till date, no action has been initiated,” he pointed out.

MGP MLA Ramakrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar claimed that 27 per cent of water has been already diverted from the Mhadei basin, but no serious attempts are being made by the government to protect the interest of the state. Questioning how the cabinet can take any decision when the finance department objects, the former minister said that the government’s move to cut down road tax by 50 per cent for three months on the purchase of new vehicles has resulted in loss of Rs 52 crore to the state exchequer.

Dhavalikar also demanded that ministers, MLAs, sarpanchas and other panchayat members be stopped from going to casinos first. He also demanded action against politicians involved in matka business. Dhavalikar said that the government could utilise only 30 per cent of funds allocated under tribal sub plan in the state.

Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar demanded that the government promote hinterland tourism in the right manner and increase support price for paddy, cashew nut and other agriculture produce. He suggested creating categories of farmers and taking up projects in a phased manner for promoting organic farming in the state.

Gaonkar further demanded that the government should complete work of four water supply projects so that the people from Sanguem, who have sacrificed their lands for Selaulim dam, get proper water supplied for drinking and irrigation purpose. “Due to mismanagement in the administration of Sanjivani sugar factory, the farmers have been suffering,” he said.

Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco also criticised the government for failing to resolve various issues pertaining to the common man in the state.