MARGAO
All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer Dinesh Gundu Rao on Sunday said the government is trying to stifle and suppress the voice of the people who are expected to attend the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) hearing by invoking the National Security Act.
Reminding that the NSA is invoked only when the security of the state is under threat, the Congress observer said the BJP government in Goa is now frightened of the growing opposition and rising discontent amongst the people over its misrule in the least nine years.
“Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is now adopting to high- handed tactics to suppress the voices of the people. The imposition of NSA is to restrict the participation of the people at the CZMP hearings. The government may soon impose the law in North Goa as well,” he said.
Speaking at the grocery distribution function organized by the South Goa District Congress Office in association with Nuvem Block Congress Committee on Sunday, Gundu Rao said, “This Act cannot be used in the time of the pandemic and not against those involved in social work on the ground,” he said.
Opposing any attempt by the government to restrict the people from attending the CZMP hearings, he said, “The hearing should take place. People should be allowed to express their views.”
He congratulated the South Goa District Committee for organising the grocery distribution. “Our Leader Rahul Gandhi had sent instructions to all party functionaries not to celebrate his birthday, but help people who are suffering due to the pandemic.”
Expressing confidence of winning the polls, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said the party after forming the government in 2022 will help the marginalized persons like motorcycle pilots, rickshaw operators, mechanics, barbers and cobblers.
GPCC President Girish Chodankar said that the visit of Gundu Rao has galvanized and rejuvenated the party cadre. The overall response during constituency visits is proof that people are looking forward to Congress forming the government in 2022.
South district President Joe Dias also spoke.
Around 500 packets of essential items were distributed to the poor and the needy.
AICC Membership Observer Prakash Rathod, South Goa Observer Sunil Hanumannavar, North Goa Observer Mansoor Khan, besides former minister Aleixo Sequeira, former MLA Agnelo Fernandes, GPCC Vice President M K Shaikh, General Secretary Subash Faldessai and Nuvem Block President Manuel D’Costa were present at the function.
