PANAJI
Goa Mining People's Front convener Puti Gaonkar has announced that he will be contesting the upcoming Assembly polls on an AAP ticket in the Sankhali constituency against Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. He said he aims to resume mining in the state and resolve all the land ownership issues, states press release.
Gaonkar was in the news recently after the announcement of the Goa State Navnirman Aghadi Forum with the aim to defeat the BJP.
He said, "AAP is the party that fulfils the promises it makes. A few days ago, I had a discussion with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on mining, land ownership and other issues. All the promises made by Kejriwal in Delhi have been fulfilled. So be it good infrastructure or the promise of free electricity, they have done it all. They have done good work in the health and education sector".
"Instead of making Goa prosperous for the last ten years, Goa has lagged due to the BJP government. The state's unemployment rate is 29 per cent. The number of suicides in the state is also on the rise. Goa was number one in the country between 2007 and 2012. Now, Goa ranks between 10-12. There are no new industries in the state," Gaonkar said.
"The BJP has not been able to start mining in the last 12 years. BJP is not starting mining to protect its interests. The government is reluctant to help those whose homes were destroyed in the flood. Mining dependents, gadawalas, shopkeepers, farmers are in trouble due to the closure of mining. Corporation has been started to resume mining. But, it's more of an 'Alibaba and forty thieves'. The corporation needs a professional. If given a chance I will solve this issue within six months", he assured.
