PANAJI
Aam Aadmi Party lamented that the Bharatiya Janata Party continues to twist facts and figures only to mislead the people and to promote the interests of its cronies like Adani and Jindal and pointed out that the latest such incident pertains to the objections filed by people for acquisition of land for double tracking of the South Western Railway line.
AAP Goa Convener Rahul Mhambre pointed out that though there have been 2,875 objections to the proposed land acquisition the SWR and government is claiming that over 70 per cent of the land owners have no objection.
“How is it possible that when nearly 3000 people object to acquitting only 103 survey numbers as admitted by the Land Acquisition Officer, the authorities still insist that 70 per cent of the owners have no objection,” he asked.
He pointed out that the South Western Railways had proposed to acquire total 60,177 sq mts of land for double tracking its railway line. Of this 32,714 sq mts were proposed to be acquired from Kalem to Margao and another 27,482 sq mts was proposed to be acquired from Margao to Vasco.
“Over 2,500 objections have been filed before the land acquisition officer against the proposal to acquire only 103 survey numbers which is a reflection of how people are not in favour of giving their land for double tracking the railway line,” he said and wondered how the authorities can still say that 70 per cent people have no objection.
Gambling with lives
Aam Aadmi Party while asking the government to take a serious note of teachers testing positive for Corona virus asked the government not to start classes for the IX and XI standard students as proposed by the Directorate of Education.
AAP leader Surel Tilve pointed out that two schools in North Goa have suspended the physical classes they had started for the X and XII standard students since 21st November as teachers of the two schools had rested positive for the pandemic.
Apathy towards Goans
Aam Aadmi Party today demanded that Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant pay attention to the needs of people of Goa and at least ensure that they get proper and regular drinking water which is the elixir of life but unfortunately is not available for many Goans in different parts of the State.
AAP spokesperson Adv Surel Tilve said it was surprising that Goa is facing a water scarcity barely a few days after the monsoons have ended in the area and that too in a year when Goa received abundant rainfall which was above the average rain it receives every year.
Developing Morjim
Adv Prasad Shahapurkar who is contesting the Zilla Panchayat elections from Morjim constituency as Aam Aadmi Party candidate says Morjim has vast potential to be developed into an ideal tourist destination where the real Goa can be seen by the visitors.
He said unemployment is a major problem in the area and asserted that self employment opportunities could be developed so that the youngsters can earn their livelihood with dignity and respect.
Calangute's bad name
Manuel Cardoso who is the Aam Aadmi Party candidate for the Zilla Panchayat elections from Calangute constituency asserts that good roads is not development and argues that what people need are their basic requirement to be provided to them without much trouble and adds that it is time to change the bad reputation that Calangute has got in present times.
He said thanks to the tourism boom in the area Calangute today is called the drug destination of Goa where prostitution is also rampant
Goenkaar's hope
Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate for the Zilla Panchayat elections from Aldona constituency Smita Shet is a single mother who not only manages her various business ventures adroitly while at the same time selling fish in the market and looking after her two sons since her husband’s death.
Smita who is venturing into politics for the first time says she was totally disgusted with what is happening on the political scenario and felt that there was a desperate need for a change. “Because I feel that I can bring about the change I am contesting the elections,” she said.
Empower local bodies
Mario Cordeiro who is the Aam Aadmi Party candidate for the Zilla Panchayat elections from Socorro constituency pointed out that Goa is the only State in the country that has not devolved any powers to the local bodies and said getting this done is his main aim.
Pointing out that as per the law the government is supposed to devolve 29 functions to the local bodies which has not happened in Goa due to which panchayats are literally non functional in the State. “I want to change this and get the functions to the panchayat so that our local self government bodies become functional,” he said.
Vote against BJP
Cecille Rodrigues who is contesting the Zilla Panchayat elections from Taleigao said she in the fray to ensure that the Monserrates does not get a free run in the area particularly as the Monserrates who have been dominating the place for the last 20 years have neglected it totally.
“Agriculture is literally dead in the area with the fields rendered uncultivable due to seepage of sewage in it,” she said while pointing out that despite being a rural area Taleigao looks like a metropolis with huge buildings and housing complexes coming up.”
Empower common man
Gorakhnath kerkar who happens to be the ex-panch member of corlim village would be contesting upcoming ZP elections. ??He pointed out that lack of basic facilities in the constituency like 24 hours electricity, water has led people of corlim towards frustration towards the incumbent.
“I would like to work on improving the basic facilities like regular water supply and electricity to the people on priority basis.”
