the goan I network
MAPUSA
Censuring the government for failing to deliver, the Congress on Tuesday warned the government to either repair the potholes ridden National Highway 66 within 10 days or be ready to face black flag protest in Bardez.
“This government has failed to honour its commitments and kept on shifting deadlines of filling the potholes on roads. If the government fails to repair the NH 66 within the next 10 days then we will hold black flags protest against the chief minister and cabinet ministers,” said Vijay Bhike, President of North Goa District Congress.
The North Goa District Congress chief was addressing a news conference along with Vice President, Chandan Mandrekar, Porvorim Congress Block President, Shankar Phadte, Bolanath Ghadi and others in Mapusa.
Condemning Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s recent statement to identify land for construction of Ravindra Bhavan in Mapusa, Bhike said it exposed the CM’s immaturity and irresponsibility in delivering promises made to the constituents.
“The CM is the head of the executive arm of the government and should know the facts and provide solutions. After discussing the issue of Ravindra Bhavan for so many years the government cannot ask such questions. It means the government is not serious in fulfilling the dreams of people in Bardez,” he said.
He also said that Ravindra Bhavan should come up within Mapusa Municipal Council limits since Mapusa is the cultural capital of Bardez.
The CM had last week at a function in Mapusa said that construction of Ravindra Bhavan was held back due to non-availability of land and requested the Mapusa chairperson and councillors to identify land for the project.
The North Goa District Congress chief said that during the bypolls campaign Mapusa MLA Johsua D’Souza had assured to fulfil all the promises made by his father.
“Sewerage pipeline work is complete but the process to give connections is yet to start while most roads especially the highway stretch is full of potholes, patch up works have not started yet,” Bhike said.
He further reminded that the Mapusa MLA had said that foundation stone for the new bus-stand project would be laid on his father’s birthday which never happened.
“It appears that for the last seven months no files on development of Mapusa have moved in the corridors of power,” he said.
The North Goa District Congress President said Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo was criticising the government when he was out of ministry but has remained silent now.
“Tourism in the State has dropped, drugs and prostitution are on the rise and Michael Lobo has remained mute spectator though he is a minister in the government,” he said.
Slamming Lobo for taking a group of journalists near the naphtha loaded chemical tanker Nu Shi Nalini to earn cheap publicity, Bhike said the minister should stop acting like a scientist and instead listen to the actual scientists and deliver solutions.
‘CM heading directionless govt’
the goan I network
MAPUSA
In a scathing attack against the BJP-led government in the State, Porvorim Congress Block President Shankar Phadte on Tuesday said the chief minister was heading a directionless government which has got all its priorities wrong.
“Instead of focusing on reviving the economy of the State, the CM has announced the construction of a tallest multi-storeyed administrative building at Patto,” Phadte said.
He said this government cannot provide relief/compensation to thousands of farmers affected by the recent floods, daily commuters cannot get relief from pothole-ridden roads and ordinary citizens cannot get safe and uninterrupted drinking water supply.
“Instead of supporting the poor and needy Goans, the government is supporting dream projects of the rich like marinas, coal, river privatisation, casinos, etc., which is spoiling the environment and killing tourism industry,” he said. Blaming the erstwhile Parrikar-led government for the mess in the State’s economy, Phadte said most of the problems Goa has been facing today were due to the former CM’s faulty policies.
“The Parrikar-led government has left the state coffers empty, ruining the economy of the State,” he alleged.
He said the only good thing the present government has done was to appoint a full-time administrator for North Goa Comunidade.
He also said Bardez mamlatdar office was returning to normalcy after the new government has taken over but more had to be done.
“The new revenue minister, Jennifer Monserrate has taken some good steps which her predecessor had failed to do,” Phadte said.
Demands white paper on expenses
incurred on infra for Nat’l Games
PANAJI: The Congress on Tuesday reiterated its demand that the government come out with a white paper on expenditure incurred on various infrastructural projects for the National Games, set to be held a year from now.
The party has also asked that a structural audit of all the projects be undertaken citing the possibility of quality of the work being compromised due to heavy kickbacks demanded by the Sports Minister Babu Ajgaonkar.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress House, General Secretary Amarnath Panjikar said that Ajgaonkar’s “Mission 30% Commission” had resulted in the complete collapse of administration in the Sports Department which has affected the stakeholders and sportspersons of Goa. The party has also demanded that Ajgaonkar be sacked for this.
Further, Panjikar asked the CM to come clean on the alleged Rs 67 crore scam exposed by the Congress in the repair work of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium after 300 tin sheets were blown away due to strong winds.
“The corrupt Sports Minister will put Goa to shame if any untoward incident such as the collapse of structures takes place during the forthcoming National Games,” said Panjikar.
He added, “The BJP Government repeatedly failed to create infrastructure for National Games since 2012 and had to beg with the Indian Olympic Association for repeated postponements of dates. The last deadline of October 31, 2019, to make ready all infrastructure has also passed with almost 50 per cent work of most of the projects still incomplete.”
The party also questioned the appointment of Dr Shrikant Ajgaonkar, brother of Babu Ajgaonkar, on the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) and Goa Football Development Council. “Dr Shrikant Trimbak Ajgaonkar is a government servant working at ESI Dispensary and has no connection with sports.”
