PANAJI
To address the public’s everyday grievances, Goa Forward Party chief and Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai, has extended an open invitation for suggestions and issues to be raised during the upcoming monsoon session of the legislative assembly.
Highlighting the failure of the government to address public concerns, Sardesai emphasised the importance of public input in shaping policy discussions.
“We invite suggestions/issues on our email, [email protected]. People can send in their suggestions by July 5, and the identities of those providing suggestions will be kept secret,” said Sardesai, adding that people’s input is crucial irrespective of their constituency.
Sardesai emphasised the opposition’s responsibility to advocate for the public interest, asserting, “Government policies should not be against the local people, and, being a regionalist opposition party, I must fight against such policies.”
Highlighting a multitude of pressing issues to be raised during the monsoon session, Sardesai outlined concerns including pollution of rivers leading to fish deaths, crime against women, Mhadei river dispute, coal transportation, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) issue, child welfare, education, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) issues, railway projects, law and order, and challenges facing the fishing community, etc.
He also demanded a status report on state debt and ongoing work at the Kala Academy.
Regarding the Smart City project, Sardesai labelled it a “scam” and called for accountability from its leadership. “A case should be filed against the Chairman and Chief Secretary of Smart City because no one takes accountability. An FIR should be filed against them; if not, we will file one,” he warned.
He condemned the exploitation of Goa’s resources for real estate gains.
He cited the example of Assagao’s transformation akin to Gurugram and questioned the silence of both the government and the public on such issues.
