Goa govt declares paid holiday

Belagavi: The Pramod Savant-led government in Goa has declared Wednesday (May 10) a paid holiday to help the sizeable Kannadiga population there to travel to Karnataka to vote. The holiday will be applicable to government and private employees like industrial workers and daily-wagers.
Thousands of people from Karnataka, especially from Belagavi, are employed in the construction, hotel, and other sectors in Goa.
However, industrial bodies in Goa and opposition parties are unhappy with the state government’s decision. Damodar Kochkar, president, Goa State Industries Association, called it “absurd” and said the government is taking industries to ransom for electoral gains.
Incidentally, Savant has been in Belagavi for the past few days, campaigning for BJP candidates. The saffron party had put him in charge of all 18 constituencies in Belagavi district. Savant, who participated in a roadshow in Belagavi for BJP candidates on Sunday, was confident BJP will return to the helm in Karnataka. He said the state government has done good work in developing infrastructure in the state.
Sulakshana, Savant’s wife, also campaigned for BJP candidates for many days in Khanapur and Belagavi city. Sulakshana hails from Khanapur taluk.