MARGAO
Velim MLA Benjamin D’Silva even went to the extent of condemning Arlekar’s statement, saying that it’s because of such statements that people accuse the government for the U-turns on various burning issues. While terming Arlekar’s statement asking the government to stop grants to English medium schools as wrong, both Avertano and Benjamin pointed out that Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar is the head of the government and the right person to make statement on issues such as MoI.
“What Arlekar stated is his personal opinion. The CM is the right person to take a decision. Arlekar’s statement is wrong and I am for the continuance of grants to English-medium schools,” Avertano said.
When asked whether Arlekar’s statement will affect him politically in the coming election, the Fisheries Minister said irrespective of the election grants to English schools should continue. “I don’t see why the grants should be discontinued,” he added.
Benjamin echoed similar sentiments. He recalled that after the election, then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had categorically stated that grants to English schools will continue. There is no no need to issue statements when the Chief Minister was on record in the Assembly that grants will continue, he said.
He lamented that the government has not honoured the promise made to FORCE during the hunger strike at the Azad Maidan at Panaji, adding “because of the failure to honour the promise, people and the media accuse the government for the U-turns.”
