Sardesai promises to raise issues in Assembly
Concerned locals share grievances as GFP supremo Vijai Sardesai listens patiently.
CANACONA
A range of grievances were raised during the Goa Forward Party’s ‘Amcho Avaz Vijay’ programme in Canacona, with locals listing issues that GFP supremo and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said show Canacona faces “endemic issues” with “no government solutions”.
Residents said problems raised before the last Assembly session remain unresolved. “There is water in two dams, but no proper supply. Kidney failure cases keep increasing, but there is no solution. Patients are sitting here today sharing the difficulties they face, but the government has no answers. These are issues that only Canacona faces,” Sardesai said.
Earlier, dialysis patients at the Canacona Community Health Centre told Sardesai about poor conditions at the dialysis unit run by a private contractor. “The lift fails every two days, power cuts stop dialysis midway, the generator has to be manually switched on, there is no regular water supply, and patients pay heavily for injections and medicines. No one listens to us. We spend at least Rs 50,000, our MLA never visits, and there are delays of 15-20 days for blood test appointments,” they said.
A foreign national from the US raised concerns about microplastics due to the lack of solid waste management in Canacona. “Microplastic waste will soon enter the stomachs of Canconcars,” Sardesai warned, adding that Canacona remains the only taluka without a solid waste management system.
Shristhal ex-sarpanch Pandurang Gaonkar said only 5 percent of Forest Rights Act cases have been addressed, with most claims pending since 2021. MGNREGA workers have not been paid for over two years despite guidelines stating payment within 15 days. He also called for the revival of the Sahara scheme, a financial assistance scheme previously run by the Social Welfare Department and LIC, to support families, noting over 1,500 applications were pending when the scheme was discontinued.
Soccour Fernandes from Palolem raised concerns about land sale deeds being completed without informing tenants, allowing non-resident Goans to carry out illegal construction in local areas.
Locals also demanded the safe and quick removal of molasses tanks in the industrial estate, which are deteriorating during the rains. Another citizen called for proper development of Potkem grounds in Poinguinim, pointing out that villages need at least 4,000 sqm of space for sports activities for local youth.
Residents also demanded the cutting of roadside trees that pose dangers to motorists on MDR roads and internal roads, and called for improved highway safety measures.
Interestingly, Congress leader and former election candidate Janardhan Bhandari accompanied Sardesai during the visit and shared the stage while residents voiced their grievances, asking Sardesai to raise these issues in the upcoming monsoon Assembly session.
Earlier, Sardesai visited the Vithal Rakhumai temple at Rajbagh-Tarir and the Shri Mallikarjun temple at Shristhal, along with GFP general secretaries Mohan Lolienkar, Prashant Naik, Durgadas Kamat, GFP environment cell chairman Vikas Bhagat, and members of the Canacona GFP block committee.
Sardesai bats for fair question slots for opposition in Assembly
CANACONA: Fatorda MLA and GFP chief Vijai Sardesai said Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar did some good work as Speaker but later came under pressure and did not allow him to speak during the consideration stage of the Appropriation Bill in the Assembly. He added that the Speaker must give opposition MLAs a fair chance during Question Hour.
“If the draw of lots keeps favouring treasury MLAs, how will the seven opposition MLAs raise people’s concerns? We suggested an alternate slot system so both sides get equal chances,” he explained.
He said the Speaker must ensure equal time for both sides without bowing to pressure. “We want to raise people’s issues, but if we are not allowed, what is the use? The Speaker must respect our concerns and let us speak.”
