MAPUSA
Stating that ministers attending the Janata Darbars were not maharajas but servants of the people, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that the darbars were held to increase the happiness index of the people.
The opposition hit back at the government stating that the ministers had to attend the darbars because the government administration failed to deliver, which was however denied by the CM.
The Opposition led by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao questioned the government for granting post facto approval to the “Sarkar Tumchya Dari” events thereby making mockery of procedures.
Raising the Janata Darbar issue during the Question Hour, Quepem MLA, Altone D’Costa said darbars were mostly held by maharajas and wondered whether the CM wanted to give his ministers the feel of maharajas.
He further taunted the CM saying that ministers had to attend the darbars only because the State administration had failed to resolve issues of the common man.
“We are people’s servants and our ministers are not maharajas. What’s important is getting the work done of the people who come with their issues at the darbar,” Sawant said.
He further said that the State administration was working very fine but the main aim of the darbars was to make things easy for the people.
“The darbars help to increase the happiness index of the people. If their work gets resolved on the spot people will definitely feel happy,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said only 51 people and 168 officers attended the Janata Darbar held in Mapusa and 34 people and 108 officers attended the programme in Margao held on July 3.
“It shows that people have no confidence in the government,” Alemao said.
The Quepem MLA questioned whether the “Sarkar Tumchya Dari” programme just before the assembly polls was an election stunt.
“Sarkar Tumchya Dari was not an election stunt. The programme helped in resolving several issues of the people. It was governance at the doorstep,” the CM retorted, and added that the government continued holding the programme even after the election.
Alemao further informed that Rs 12 crores was spent on the “Sarkar Tumchya Dari” event all with post facto approval.
Sawant, however, maintained that only Rs 2.99 crore was spent on a total of 11 events of the programme.
He further said that the event was organised through an empanelled agency.
