PONDA
Minister for Social Welfare Mahadev Naik on Thursday said that 2016 would be observed as the ‘senior citizen's year’, with an emphasis on listening to their grievances.
Naik was speaking at a function organised by Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department at Kavale-Ponda to spread awareness of National Food Security Act 2013. Ponda MLA Lavu Mamledar, Kavale Sarpanch Rajesh Kavalekar, Joint Mamlatdar Abhir Hede, Joint Mamlatdar Apurva Karpe and BDO Milindra Velip were present on the occasion.
Speaking further, Naik claimed that the BJP government had done a 'Chamatkar' by implementing many schemes for betterment of the people and added that the government plans to implement programmes for senior citizens in 2016.
“Committees will be constituted to know problems of senior citizens and they will visit all over Goa to address their grievances,” Naik said.
According to Naik, it was only the BJP government which can give much to the people. “When I go to other states for any function on social welfare, people there ask me how BJP in Goa had managed a ‘Chamatkar’ by successfully launching so many schemes,” said Naik, while praising his own government.
“Those who charge us by saying that this government is making U-turns did not dare to launch schemes for people of Goa. It is only the BJP government which knows problems of the people and is helping them accordingly,” he said.
He further said 5 lakh-odd people from Goa would benefit from the Food Security Act. “Inflation can be controlled by such schemes. This is the best scheme and very important. Everyone should be vigil and has to avail the scheme,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of Food Security Act, MLA Mamledar said the Food Security Bill should have come into reality much before, but it never happened.
Mamledar said Goans prepare excess food and waste it. “As a result, garbage problem has become acute in Goa,” he said.
Praising the NDA government for implementing the NFSA, Mamledar added: “This act will help the states grappling with poverty,” added Mamledar.
Sarpanch Rajesh Kavalekar also spoke on the occasion.
