PANAJI
Opposition leaders questioned Governor’s address for not mentioning crucial issues as well as outlining a set policy of the government.
The most articulate in his criticism was Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenço who said the Governor had failed to address issues like price rise, Mhadei water diversion and coal. “The government is supposed to highlight legislative policies and give a broad indication of how it plans to move ahead in the year. The speech is nothing, but hollow, without depth and the task ahead is not laid out,” Reginaldo said. “There is nothing where I can say she deserves praise in her speech,” he added.
Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias said PWD projects are being kept on hold and works are not being taken forward. He also said the government has failed to undertake works citing delays due to GST.
The motion of thanks to the Governor’s address was tabled by BJP’s chief whip Glenn Ticlo who was chosen after Pravin Zantye who was not present in the House.
On the other hand, those in the ruling party praised the government for its efforts on garbage handling, tackling road accidents and for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan effort.
The Congress moved amendments to the motion of thanks to the address of the Governor including a clause expressing regret that there was no mention about the fact that the law and order situation is not under control.
Nilesh Cabral and Rajesh Patnekar had seconded the motion.
“The farming community is abandoning agricultural activities due to high cost of labour, wild animals, stray cattle and reduction in subsidies,” the Congress said and added, “There is increase in the crime rate and vandalism cases are not detected and accounted for.”
The party said the government had also failed to include the Dhangar community in the list of scheduled tribes, provide 24-hours water supply, complete sewerage work in a time-bound manner, plug loopholes in convicting those involved in the drug trade, solve the unemployment issue and attract eco-friendly industries.
The other issues the Congress raised through the amendment motion included the lack of an education policy and lack of master plan for traffic management.
