Lack of jobs, bad roads and power fluctuation are major problems
While his party runs clueless through state polity, ReginaldoLourenco, the spokesman of the Congress Legislative Party speaks two voices.One, of his own and the other what his party would like to speak about. Bothturning to be in contravention to what people of Goa would like to hear.
But apart from pointing to the gaps in the administrationrun by the BJP-led government in the State, the young Curtorim MLA was not ableto show the same energy in administering his constituency.
Providing employment opportunities to the young generationof Curtorim has been the biggest drawback for the MLA. Bad roads and constantpower fluctuations are some of the other problems that the MLA has not beenable to focus on. “Our MLA is only opposing the current government. There isurgent need to improve infrastructure and provide jobs to the youth,” said someof the locals.
The MLA was also criticised for not doing enough to cap theSonsoddo garbage dump, which has contaminated ground water in Curtorim.(Controversial for us?)
“It’s always easy to be a Santa Claus and win an electionfor the first time. But remaining relevant amongst your people is important. Ihave to continue getting works sanctioned by the government, provideemployment, repair road and provide better infrastructure. I am committed towhat I want to do,” points out Reginaldo.
But the MLA has received flak from villagers for doingthings as per his own whims and fancies. He was censured for not providinggovernment jobs and for being against the Shiroda-Rachol bridge. He was alsocriticised for being in favour of using concrete instead of the traditionalrubble to repair the lakes in the village.
To his credit the MLA has given a new lease of life toagriculture in Curtorim. In his first term he managed to increase agriculturein the village from a meager 30 percent to a brilliant 85 percent.
He employed his own private team of electricians to fix powercuts during the monsoons, building bunds and protecting khazan lands all at hisown cost. He also provided free ambulance and mobile morgues services from hisown funds, the MLA claims.
The ST/SC OBS dominated regions of Raia, Camurlim, Racholand Curtorim benefitted from the largesse of the MLA in his first term.
They were provided free agricultural assistance, harvestors,tractors, seeds and manure by the MLA. Now, in opposition, they fear that theMLA may not able to maintain the same momentum. “I have no personal interest inthe constituency. Neither am I known to dole out money to my voters. I provideall services to my constituents,” Reginaldo said.
“Certain issues are blown out of proportion by vestedelements to defame me. I do not interfere in any of the panchayats in myconstituency. I want to make Curtorim a model constituency and my focus is toincrease agricultural output,” he added.
Reginaldo hopes the National Institute of Technology or someother well-known institutes to set up shop in Curtorim.
