Party hails ‘long-pending’ administrative reform
PANAJI
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday said the Goa government’s decision to carve out a third district, ‘Kushavati’, was a long-pending administrative reform for decentralisation and grassroots development.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, BJP State President Damodar Naik said on Thursday that the notification issued on December 31 formally operationalising the new district has, in fact, fulfilled a demand repeatedly raised in the Legislative Assembly to ensure equitable development and better governance in Goa’s hinterland.
“It is a ‘New Year’s gift’ for the people of the State… decentralisation was essential to improve facilities related to education, healthcare and administration at the village level. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, backward and underserved talukas across the country are being upgraded into districts. A district means a Collectorate, administrative offices and essential infrastructure that directly benefits people,” he said.
On population growth, Naik stated that Goa’s population had risen sharply since Liberation, putting pressure on the existing administrative setup. “The residents of Sanguem, Sanvordem and Curchorem had to travel to Margao for colleges, government offices and basic services. The third district will reduce this burden, cut travel time and improve access to government services,” he said.
Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai, also present at the briefing and representing the Sanguem constituency, stated that the new district will give ST, OBC and Bahujan communities direct access to district-level administration, welfare schemes and faster services, ensuring real social justice.
Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral added that the new district would have its own district court, district hospital and district police headquarters, easing access to justice and healthcare.
