Ryots yet to get Rs 1.3cr aid: GFP

Panaji: The Pramod Sawant government had no qualms about spending Rs 5.5 crore on the swearing-in ceremony in March, but it failed to release Rs 1.2 crore owed to farmers as crop loss compensation, said Goa Forward Party (GFP) president Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday.
Sardesai, who cited information obtained via RTI, also said that Sawant’s threat of a defamation notice will not deter him from speaking against the government.
Sardesai released a note issued by the directorate of agriculture, which states that the total compensation owed to farmers since April 2019 is Rs 1.2 crore. Heavy rainfall and subsequent floods in August 2019 and July 2021 caused major damage to crops and plantations in Sattari, Pernem, Bicholim and other talukas.
“This means that for the last three and a half years, the government does not have money to give to the poor farmers. But for the 18-minute swearing-in ceremony of its own government, the government spent Rs six crore,” said Sardesai.
Sardesai took a dig at Sawant’s claims about ensuring justice and welfare of the poorest of the poor in Goa.
“Where is the government’s priority? It talks about giving justice to the poorest of the poor Goan. Aren’t these farmers Goan? Why can’t the government think about the farmers? Are farmers not poor? This government only thinks about itself,” said Sardesai.
He demanded that the government must release the pending dues before Diwali.
The GFP MLA said that he obtained the data using RTI, and thus Sawant could not claim that he was defaming the BJP-led government.